In the Waiting Room

A few years ago, my wife and I had the blessing in the Lord to conceive our first child. But at only 20 weeks, everything got complicated and we lost the baby unexpectedly. This experience was of great sorrow for us.

Months later we had the pleasant news that again we would have a child! But 27 weeks later, it turned into sadness, because again the delivery was pre-term and our little girl remained hospitalized.

This time our daughter was not born dead, but her organs were not mature enough, especially her lungs. Our pediatrician called us early in the morning informing us that she had suffered a respiratory stop.

I called my father-in-law so we could go together to the clinic. We prayed to God for strength and recovery for our daughter all along the way. During that time we felt filled with despair, sadness, and helplessness.

I remember sitting in the waiting room, praying to God, often accompanied by tears, which later increased when we received the news that the baby had died.

It is true that we went through many hard processes both spiritual and emotional, but even when God would not give us the privilege of keeping our babies, He was always beside us. He gave us strength, providing financial resources, brothers and sisters with solidarity, and above all, making us see that everything works for good.

Today my wife and I are stronger in faith and more sensitive to practice mercy and love with others. Perhaps in our human thoughts dark clouds could come to overshadow our faith, but that’s when we have to keep in mind that, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:13, NIV

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for always being beside us. Thank You for strengthening us and for how You fill our hearts with peace, love, joy and hope. Please help us always look forward to Your will, which even if seems incomprehensible to us, is always good, perfect and pleasant. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ivan Lopez works as an Auditor the the Compassion Dominican Republic office.

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