His Love Reflected in our Relationships

Diane Mayfield –

I saw the caller ID and knew our daughter was calling to wish her dad a happy birthday. Only when I heard her voice, I knew that was not the reason for the call.

“Honey, what’s wrong,” I asked.

“Mom, I miscarried.” Then all I heard was sobbing.

Between sobs she tried to tell me the details. Over our cell phones, I could only catch portions of what she was saying, but it didn’t matter. Her heart was broken, and mine was breaking, too.

It took me back to another time. When this same daughter was in junior high school, she was trying out for cheerleader with all her friends. Tryouts were over and we parents were waiting outside the gym to hear who had made it. When she found us, she was sobbing that she didn’t make it, and all her friends did. My heart broke then as it was breaking now.

With her pregnancy, we had been waiting for our daughter to see the heartbeat so we could tell the world our good news that we would be grandparents for a third time. They were to have a sonogram on Thursday, but the radiologist said the baby was still too small.

Disappointed and yet hopeful, my daughter left for a bachelorette party in New Orleans, and her husband went to San Antonio to golf with a friend. While in New Orleans, she experienced excruciating pain at dinner, went back to the hotel where she officially miscarried.

My husband and I were so numb, shocked and aching for our daughter. As a parent I don’t think that ever changes. We found ourselves just staring into space, lost in our own pain. We had three days until we would get to see her.

When I finally held her in my arms, I could breathe again. It was the same for my husband. One of our most tender moments was our group hug with our son-in-law. It was heartwarming to see the love and care that my son-in-law has for our daughter and she for him. I could see their love deepening through this difficult time.

I stayed with her for a few days at her request while her husband attended an out of town business meeting. There were many sweet moments with my daughter over the next few days. Once again she needed me, and I was so glad to be there.

We all walked this journey together. I couldn’t fix it and I couldn’t take it away. I can’t guarantee the future either. But I know I’ll be there for her, for both of them. My husband and I both will.

Isn’t that just what our Lord does for us? We never walk this place alone. Difficulty will come but he longs to be invited to walk it with us. He aches for our pain, and He holds us along the way in the same way I held her.

This beautiful special relationship with my daughter is but a reflection of the one He has with us.