The Child in Your Heart

Training for Today: Run 2.5 Miles

Devotion: The Child in Your Heart

Last time we talked about wrestling with grief and how natural it is for the grieving person to ask, “How long will I have sorrow in my heart?” Today’s devotion explores why a mother’s sorrow can be so enduring.


A woman never forgets the moment she finds out she’s pregnant. She starts to think differently, feel differently, and experience the world differently. Suddenly, her eyes are opened to a new dimension of her future, a future full of hope and possibilities. Perhaps she folds her hands in toward her stomach, respecting the miracle that occurs inside. Perhaps she envisions the process, imagining the first heartbeat. The switch has been flipped. That child has entered her heart.

A mother never forgets her child. All of her senses are caught up in that relationship. Her touch builds trust. Her eyes communicate love, approval, concern. Her ears listen. She knows the child’s scent. Memories are made, smiles are exchanged, laughs are shared, and tears are shed during their relationship – no matter the duration. Hopes are formed on behalf of the child. The child is in her heart.

To experience the loss of a pregnancy or a child is to experience heartbreak in the fullest sense of the word. The hopes are stopped short of reality. The senses are prematurely stripped of their responsibilities. The mother clings to the memories and searches them almost constantly.

Thus is the human response to grief, sorrow, and loss. In these trying moments, remember the words of Psalm 116:1-6:

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the lord: ‘O Lord, save me!’ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.”

Your loving Savior has every one of your tears in His hands, He holds your broken heart, and the child in your heart is now in His care. Most importantly, He met your greatest need as a sinful, human being – He died that you might live with Him in eternity!

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, you know how my heart hurts. Comfort me in my sorrow, and lift my eyes to you. Shower me with your graciousness and compassion. Amen.