God said no...

Dear Praying Friends,

In the weeks following the death and birth of our son Caleb I have been reading the blog of Stephanie Dyer, mama of Amelia Rose Dyer.

Baby Amelia was given a fatal diagnosis at 24 weeks gestation when a level 2 sonogram found several congenital anomolies that are incompatible with life. Amelia was not expected to live to term and her parents were urged to terminate the pregnancy.

Being followers of Christ, and knowing that life and death are His alone to give, Steven and Stephanie continued on with the pregnancy. The coming weeks would be spent trying to pack a life time of Amelia memories into a few short months, rejoicing in her life, and preparing for death. This included trying to help their 3 older children navigate through their own grief and fears.

While I prayed and believe in faith that God would "provide a ram" as He did for Abraham after asking him to sacrifice his only child, Isaac, Amelia's parents request was simple.

They simply hoped for Amelia to be born alive, so they could hold her in their arms before she left this world. Stephanie prayed that she would be allowed to nurse her daughter just one time. One of their children simply wanted to spend his birthday, which came a few short days after Amelia's due date, with his baby sister. His birthday is tomorrow.

God said no.

Amelia lived to her due date. On March 9th, Amelia's due date, the family visisted the midwife.

The very next day, Amelia was quiet. Stephanie tried in vain to awaken her daughter, and finally in the evening they headed to the midwife dreading the worst but, I imagine, begging God that they would hear their daughter's heart beating.

Instead they were greated by silence. While Amelia's body still inhabited her mother's her soul had already joined countless other's at the Throne of Heaven.

God's ways are higher. The Dyers did not get their wish to hold and love on Amelia in their arms before she died. However, neither will they have to watch her suffer and die. Amelia was spared any earthly pain and discomfort.

Please pray for Steven, Stephanie, and their remaining children as they navigate these pathways of grief. Their faith and love for the Lord is strong, and this will benefit them greatly. However nothing can change the fact that they are "but dust", living with human emotions and understandings. And instincts. Even after your child has died the instincts to hold and care for them are SO strong. I can not even describe to you how lost you feel in those first few days and weeks.

You can find Amelia's story here: http://carriedthroughgrief.blogspot.com/

Because God is good ALL THE TIME,
~ Melodie Miller
Caleb's Ministry
calebsprayer@gmail.com