On the day that my daughter gave birth to her son five weeks prematurely,
my son-in-law received a phone call saying that his father had suffered a massive heart attack
and was now on life support.
Today, on the day that our grandson was weaned totally off his breathing apparatus in the NICU,
my son-in-law's father passed away.
Never has the truth of Ecclesiastes 3:2 hit so close to home,
there is a time to be born and a time to die.
Your prayers for my son-in-law, daughter, two oldest grandkids,
and our newest little guy would be so appreciated.
still following,
And happily linking with Lisha Epperson "Give Me Grace"
Oh Elizabeth, I am so, so sorry. It has been amazing to watch in our family but almost every time there is a birth, there is also a death, or I guess I would rather think of it like this--every time there is a death, there is a birth--a gentle Father reminding us that even though we lose those before us, he is blessing us with those who will come afterwards and carry on His great work and Name.
ReplyDeleteYour Nehemiah will be a 'repairer of walls,' I think. Love you friend and prayers for your daughter's family.
Thankfully, my son-in-law's father is in heaven. I sure appreciate your love and prayers friend.
DeleteThese photos. God is moving through you. Praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Brandee. Baby is doing very well. My son-in-law is having to fly to his father's funeral alone, however, since baby and mama are staying in NICU.
DeleteWhat tender moments your family is sharing. You sweet words and photos have called out my thoughts and prayers for your entire family, Elizabeth. Congratulations on the arrival of your newest grandchild.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers! Baby is doing very well. My son-in-law is now across the country attending to his father's funeral. Unfortunately, due to the timing, my daughter and the children can't be with him since the baby is still in NICU.
DeleteOh Elizabeth, I am praying for your family. Life is a gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ginger! Our little grandson is doing very well. My son-in-law, unfortunately, had to fly to his father's funeral alone since my daughter is staying in NICU with the baby. The two oldest grands are with us and are sad about the death of their other papa.
DeleteOh, I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. Prayers for your family. So glad your little guy is breathing on his own, too! "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the Name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21b, NIV)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marilyn. It's been a wonderfully joyful week, but sorrowful for our son-in-law at the same time.
DeleteGosh, Elizabeth - what a seesaw of emotions! My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this wonderful and difficult time. Hugs, Chris xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers, Chris. We are joyful about our new grandson and sad for our son-in-law's loss.
DeleteElizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. But I rejoice that this man is in heaven. And I rejoice that in this time of grief, there is an abundance of JOY in your precious new grandson.
ReplyDeleteBarbie, it's hardest to think of my son-in-law having to fly across the country and attend his dad's funeral alone. My daughter, of course, needs to stay in the NICU with the baby. He is doing well! I appreciate your prayers!
DeleteI am praying for your dear ones as they walk through the joy of the birth of their son and the loss of their father, father-in-law and grandfather. Many times I've seen a birth followed by a death. God is gracious to carry us through each - such joy and heavy grief. I'm praying for you, too, dear friend, as you walk with your family through the passages of life.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
My son-in-law flew to South Carolina today alone for his father's funeral. My daughter is staying in the NICU with the baby, (who is doing great), and the two oldest grands are with us. It has been a joyful and chaotic week!
Deleteoh elisabeth, I am just dumbfounded and I lack the words :(
ReplyDeleteAndy
Thank you Andy.
DeleteYou definitely have my prayers. What a roller coaster of emotions... Such sadness and such joy. May God rain down his love and peace on you and your whole family.
ReplyDeleteGod will never leave your side.
Ceil
Your prayers are much needed and much appreciated, Ceil!
Deletewhat a tender story. what exquisite timing. love and prayers for your family today.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Carol. My son-in-law had to fly to attend the funeral without the support of his wife and family, since she is in the NICU with our new grandson, (who is doing great!)
DeleteYou've got it, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! It's been such a joyful week, but challenging as well.
DeletePraying for your family...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jill! My son-in-law is in South Carolina to attend the funeral and my grandson and his mama will be in the NICU for a few more days, so we are busy taking care of the two oldest grands.
DeleteThank you for sharing your family circumstances. Sometimes it seems that God is out of control. But I refuse to give this thought a place in my heart. We believe in a God, Who sees a much bigger picture than we can see. He oversees the years and calls His beloved home. He also gives our little ones. How's the baby now?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, this has the tears rolling. Praying for this new and little life to grow stronger. Praying for your family in this time of loss. May our God be with them, comforting them & holding them as only He can!
ReplyDeleteI was so ready to come here and rejoice with you Elizabeth. I've watched your facebook feed of new life. It blessed me so. I'm a mama of a nicu baby and I know a little of the journey. Hearing of the simultaneous exhalation and grief your family must be experiencing is heartbreaking. I'm standing with you in prayer and ask His peace cover your family. Blessings friend!
ReplyDeleteYou and your family will be in my prayers, Elizabeth. May God bring peace and comfort with His loving embrace. Much love.
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ReplyDeleteI am lifting your SIL, daughter & their children in my prayers. I am sorry that this is such a difficult time for them. Praying God's peace, comfort & amazing grace in their lives. Giving praise & thanks that your newest grandson is continuing to grow & get stronger. They are blessed to have God, you & your hubs in their lives to help carry them through this storm.
ReplyDeleteThe book of Eccl. held the answer for me, the why behind the trials in my life. It is so simple too: "Life runs on opposites: Somebody is born- somebody dies; the sun rises- the sun sets; somebody gets the job-somebody gets fired, etc. Knowing and believing what God says, that there is a purpose for everything under the sun ...well, that sums it up, doesn't it. Your post illustrated this beautifully. So very sorry about the family's loss though. Have an blessed day.
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the loss and happy to hear about the birth. Beautiful post on believing in God's Word and I am sending up a prayer for wonderful peace to surround your family
Blessings,
Janis
Elizabeth, I'm so sorry that the lesson of life and death hit so close to home! I'll be praying for all that God's comforting embrace surrounds and provides all that is needed.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you and your family. xo
ReplyDeleteNo words. Only love and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSometimes so much happens so fast for so many. Only the Lord can give us peace and encouragement as the world situations challenge us. I'm sure you are a significant heart-helper. And your husband and many others connected with you and your church family. Bless you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI too am just struck to the heart of the miracle of a new life. The pictures really do bring that reality home hard. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMay the God of all grace meet all of your family's needs and provide comfort and peace in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks as I read this, and your family is in my prayers. Blessings on you and yours.
ReplyDeleteJoy and sorrow indeed. Praying for you and the family as you celebrate a precious new life and remember a loved one gone on to heaven.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found you through Lisha, so I could pray for your family.
I pray blessings flow in and around to lift you all up; that God's wing would shelter you all from the storm, that peace be all that is known.
Heather
@40YearWanderer.com
What bittersweet truths in that verse and in your life. I'm praying for the tiny new boy with the cool glasses.
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