Ohmystinkinheck

Last year one of my closest friends endured a trial that has turned her and her family’s life upside down; their baby died at 10 weeks old. If you’ve walked that path or are prepared to weep for the love of another, you can read her myspace blog.

Though there has certainly been healing, and though they know His strength has been sufficient, the loss still weighs heavy. They long for the day when they can be with Isaac again.

She wrote today to ask me about a song I sang at the Memorial Service and I quickly recorded it again to send to her. Please tend to the words…I felt no need to edit something that was intended to speak directly to her heart.

[Download 'As the Deer…' and 'I Love You, Lord.' Medley]

Here are the words:

As the deer panteth for the water
so my soul longeth after Thee.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship Thee.

I lift my voice
oh, my soul rejoice.
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You
Only You Lord.
I long to worship You.
Oh Lord,
I long to worship You.

I share this with you, because I thought of all the prayer warriors that have lifted me up from time to time and I wanted to ask specifically for your prayers for this family.

Prayers for healing and strength.
Prayers for joy new every morning.
Prayers for laughter and peace in the silence.

I love her and though I know you don’t know her, there is something about the death of a child that can bring even the most distant hearts to the altar of grace in prayer for another.

Thank you.
Love,
Heather

17 Responses to “May it be a sweet, sweet, song in your ear…”

1. Jummy

   I am so sorry for your friend’s loss. I will pray for continued healing to the family. I cannot imagine how hard it is to go on when a part of your family is missing.

   Your voice is beautiful, Heather, and I’m certain that medley brought some solace to Stacey’s soul.

   (As the Deer Panteth is one of my favourite hymns)

2. Laurie

   Jesus, sweet Jesus.

   Praise you Jesus.

   Hide Stacey in the shadow of Your wings. Hold her close. Draw her near.

3. OMSH

   Thank you ladies - keep the prayers coming.

4. Annie

   Hi Heather -

   I’ve been reading your blog for a while but this is my first comment . . .

   Two of my favorite hymns. ;-) Thank you for sharing.

   Please know we’re lifting up your friend and her family in our thoughts and prayers.

   Every time I hear of such loss, it just gets me. Doesn’t matter whether it’s happening to a complete stranger or someone I know. I just want to hug them tight and cry right along with them.

   I cannot fathom something - anything - remotely similar happening to any of my children.

   Here’s a song that always brings me comfort - I hope it will help you, too.

   But the waves are calling out my name
   And they laugh at me
   Reminding me of all the times
   I’ve tried before and failed
   The waves they keep on telling me
   Time and time again,
   “Boy, you’ll never win!”
   “You’ll never win!”

   Chorus:

   But the voice of truth tells me a different story
   The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
   The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
   Out of all the voices calling out to me
   I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

   ~ Annie

5. Janera

   Heather, I know you didn’t post this to receive accolades, but oh my goodness, Woman, how the Lord has blessed you with that voice! I am so grateful that you are using it to bring comfort and to lift others to Him.

   I pray that your dear friend will feel His embrace now and always, and that you will always know how blessed you are as well.

6. Angela Tippets

   What beautiful hymns those are. God has blessed you with a beautiful voice Heather, WOW!

   I can’t even imagine going through the loss of a child. It is a promise that God will only give us trials that we can handle -I can’t imagine having to handle THAT trial. I had a close friend who lost her baby to SIDS. The whole world of this family was turned upside down. I am so grateful for the knowledge of a loving Heavely Father. I am grateful your dear friend has this knowledge as well. I can’t imagine going through such a trial and not being able to draw on that faith. May your friend continue to be strong in her faith, and may God continue to bless and comfort her family.

7. Stacey

   Are there human words to express gratitude? Heather, you are amazing but more than anything I want you to know that you are the hands and feet of Jesus. You put His love into action and I love you so much for being His servant. Thank you my sweet friend.

   Here is what the Lord gave me yesterday. Through pain and storms He just constantly reminds me that there is hope. Heat comes and droughts do too be He is my water and He is nearby if I will keep my roots digging deeper. And there is even a promise that we will bear fruit! How awesome is that! Even in the midst of the worst pain I’ve ever known and my flesh growing weary from the ache, my spirit still sings because of the promises I have in Him. And then you sing to me and it brings me right into His presence. Thank you for standing by me, your prayers and for constantly holding me up and loving me.

   Someday we’ll be dancing on golden streets together and I have a feeling your voice will go beautifully with the choir of angels. Oh, just imagine.

   “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

8. Mandy

   I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. Or even more dreadful, losing a child and not knowing the Lord and being completely hopeless. I am praying, and thanking him that both you and your friend know the truth. We will all meet again!

9. Kristi from NY

   Such beautiful music with meaningful words that obviously come from deep within your soul. My husband had a brother who died as an infant. Neither he nor his siblings were old enough to remember it. His parents speak of it very infrequently but I know that the emotions of that event shaped their lives in a way that none of them can acknowledge. My prayer is for healing for your sweet friend and her family. I cannot imagine…

10. Meg

    I don’t think I can listen to your song or read her page, not right now. But, prayers for you all. We have friends whose baby died at around 10 months after several heart surgeries. I also remember my grandmother telling me, when I was 14, on the night my father died of cancer, that there is no pain that equals that which a mother feels when her child dies, no matter how old the child. I pray I never get to know that first-hand.

11. FireMom

    One song that helped me through the loss of a pregnancy was “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns.

    We will be praying for your friend. While we never got to meet our child, the loss was intense and knowing THAT loss, I cannot imagine the grief your friend’s family has had to endure.

12. jamie

    As always, she is in my prayers. My heart breaks for the whole family.

13. Chiada

    Heather, you sang that song so beautifully. As someone who loves to sing, I love to hear others sing too. Thank you for sharing that. It made me cry. I’m so sorry for your friend’s loss. Not being a mother, I can’t imagine how hard it must be to lose a child. I lost my beloved dog and that has been hard enough! To lose a child must be 100 times worse. It is always the ones left behind who suffer the worst. Thank goodness for friends, family, and faith.

14. moosh in indy.

    In a perfect world a parent would never have to bury a child. I can’t imagine the heartache and the strength your friend must have.
    Prayers and blessings to her and to you.

15. Anna

    Oh Heather!
    I haven’t gone to the link yet, but just seeing the works from ‘as the deer’ makes my heart both weep and sing.
    Losing a child….I cannot imaging and well, it just breaks my heart.

    Thank you for sharing this, I am singing in my head now, that hymn brings back so many memories.

16. Mrs. Wilson

    I can’t even imagine. I’m so glad your friend has a friend like you to help get her through difficult times as this.

17. Stefani

    Oh. I can’t begin to fathom the heartbreak. Wonderful song, and yes, we will certainly lift them up in our prayers.