A time to grieve

I've debated how or what to share for some time, but I did want to mention a devastating loss we've had in our extended family. After complications at birth, our beloved niece, Avery, spent just eight days with her mom and dad before going to be with Jesus.

She was absolutely beautiful. And I'm honored that we had the precious opportunity to meet her and hold her. What a gift to study her face and hold her tiny hand. To sing to her read to her and whisper, "I love you."

Cooper picked out a book to read to her and we sang, The Lord Bless and Keep You, and The Doxology. Nicholas recited one of our favorite books, Who Sang the First Song? by heart to her. And we had the heartbreaking honor to see Katelyn and Devin hold and cherish their sweet Avery for such a short time.

Sometimes there are no words. And it's in unprecedented circumstances like these that I found myself reaching for one of my volumes of Every Moment Holy, as they are filled with prayers to read when I don't know what to pray. I often find the liturgical structure of the prayers immensely comforting. I wanted to share an excerpt from Every Moment Holy, Volume II: Death, Grief, and Hope, specifically from "A Liturgy for A Friend [Sister and Brother, in our case] of One Who Grieves":

O Christ, I am at such a loss. I want to help, but I don't know what to do, or what to say. [...]

Above all, let me learn to remain present in their life, not forcing them to speak of loss, but being ever ready to listen, to share their tears, to steward their story – however much they choose to entrust to me–and so let me serve my dear [sister and brother] well by a close and constant willingness to bear some small part of their long burden.

I am praying this for myself, as well as continuing to pray for Katelyn and Devin as they mourn and navigate this profound grief. We love Avery so very much.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17