We found out yesterday that Daniel and Jackie’s precious baby left this world and entered into the presence of God. My heart broke for my sister. Her sobs on the phone revealed a broken heart. Hopes of the joys that this new life would bring, ended. We still have hope and joys envisioned for this little “burrito” just not for this life, but the life to come.

I immediately felt the need to do something. Prayer yes. But I needed to DO something. I got on Amazon and started making purchases. I bought a photo frame for the baby’s ultrasound picture. I bought a necklace with a large heart and a small heart tied together representing the love that Jackie and Daniel will always have for their baby. I bought a devotional book for grieving mothers. While I was on Amazon, Maggie said I’m going to the store to make them a gift basket. She came back with $100 of fruit, snacks, flowers, etc. Keith called me today and asked about my fitness level because he wants to do a memorial run for this baby. Twelve miles for the twelve weeks the baby was alive. I was working in the office with Christine when she received a phone call from a relative who just found out the news. I heard Christine say, “Just pray, you don’t need to do anything, just pray.” I came home today and went to check on Jackie. The whole table is filled with flowers and gifts. Daniel came home a few hours later with a wrapped gift and card from my nephew Terry Keith and his girlfriend Paige. After Jackie posted the loss of her baby on Facebook, there was a pouring out of comfort and condolences.

When people are hurting, we want to do something to ease the pain and to bring comfort. This is a good and beautiful thing. Our God is the God of all comfort, and our desire to want to comfort others displays that we are His image-bearers.

What can we do for Jackie and Daniel to help bring comfort? First, realize you cannot heal their broken hearts. Only God can, and we know that He will heal their hearts. This is a God-ordained trial created for their good. I talked to my friend Katie Burrows today who just recently went through a miscarriage. She said something very profound. Trials are so precious because they cause you to turn to Jesus in a way you never could before.

Secondly, talk to them. We don’t have to be afraid to talk about the loss of this baby. What we do need to be careful about is what we say to them. They may not remember all our kind words, but they will remember words that are unfit during this tender time.

Finally, pray for them. Christine gave the perfect counsel to her relative. Pray. Pray that their hearts will be comforted by Christ. Pray that God would give them wisdom in decisions that need to be made. Pray that Jackie and Daniel will grow closer to each other. Pray that as they grieve, Satan won’t use that as a means to harm their marriage. Their marriage is young and they will both have to learn how they each deal with this loss. This is not easy. Pray for Jackie’s physical healing. Pray for the mental strain on this family. Pray that they capture every thought and never accuse God. Pray that they will use the loss of their baby to be able to share the gospel of Christ. And if you need to get on Amazon or go to Publix to express your care, by all means, go for it!

Thank you to all who are loving and caring for our family during this sad time. We are sad, but our hearts are trusting the God who holds our times in His hands. He is good.