Holding Elijah - Guest Patty Wysong - God is So Good

Exciting stuff! There's an interview with PHILIP YANCEY at the FaithWriters blog today! Learn about this multi-award-winning, bestselling Christian author's writing process, his advice for new authors, and more.Stop by!

Welcome to my Wednesday feature God is So Good. Here I will share stories - true and fiction, mine and others' - of the Lord's presence in the midst of trials, struggles, and difficulties.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33b

Some things you just have to experience to "get," I'm convinced. One of my absolute BFFs (and the half-owner of my brain) has experienced one of those things - twice. When I first read this post a few years ago, I was amazed at my dear friend's strength in Him. When I remembered it again two days ago, I had the same feeling. And I asked her if I could share it here today. I pray it blesses you, and reminds you of God's presence in the disappointments, losses, and trials of this world.

Holding Elijah

By Patty Wysong

Fourteen weeks after conception, and my precious baby was perfectly formed. Minuscule hands and feet, a face the size of a man's thumb print. A bittersweet miracle. I held him in the palm of my hand and wept for the years I would never have with this child. We named him Elijah because he was caught up early to be with the Lord.

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
~Psalm 139:13

How people can say that an unborn child is anything less than a person, is beyond my imagination. Elijah, and his brother after him, were perfectly formed. God had woven them together in my womb, and had they been given the time, they would have been able to live apart from me. They would have run and played with their older brothers and sisters and added to our joy. But instead, they're safe in the arms of Jesus.

Even the darkness is not dark to You,
and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
~Psalm 139:12

A second miscarriage is not necessarily easier than the first one, it just means that you have an idea of how things will go, but only an idea. After my first one, I needed time to heal physically, but the second one sent me into a spiritual cave. God, in His mercy and grace, allowed me a few moments of holding those babies. They are imprinted on my heart, cherished. They also pointed me to the Creator and helped me see that my darkness was not dark to Him--the Holy One, my God and my Father. He shined into my darkness, and led me out of the cave one step at a time. I learned that grief without blackness is bearable, and the Light of God dispelled the blackness, helping me bear the grief. What a great and mighty God!

I will give thanks to You,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
wonderful are Your works,
and my soul knows it very well.
~Psalm 139:14

Read more about Elijah here.
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Patty Wysong, a home executive with over 20 years of experience, homeschools three of her five children, but don't let that fool you. She spends much of her time working on what God has placed in her hand: her keyboard. From the corner of her living room she writes inspirational fiction, devotionals, blog posts, and teaches online blogging workshops. You'll also find her drinking kool aid from her china cup, preparing for the ladies Bible study she leads, and helping at their church.

Patty learned about blogs and blogging the hard way and now delights in teaching and helping others, sparing them that frustration so they can focus on what God has called them to do. Through her writing, Patty has found the extraordinary God in her ordinary life.

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I learned that grief without blackness is bearable, and the Light of God dispelled the blackness, helping me bear the grief. WOW. God is so good!

Do you have a story you'd like to share about God's goodness in your struggles? Drop me an email and we can talk!

 
Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength