Bring the Rain

One month ago today, March 6, 2010, my husband and I welcomed our first child, a son, Luke Arthur into the world. What was to be the most joyous day of our lives -- even topping our wedding day -- was covered by a dark, ominous cloud. The cloud was that of death. The tears that stained our faces were not those of joy that normally welcome the birth of a baby -- they had turned to those of grief and saddness 19 hours earlier when we learned our baby no longer sustained life -- at 39+ weeks into the pregnancy, his heartbeat had slipped away.

Over the weeks, months and possibly years to come, we hope to share our entire story. It gives us strength to know that there are others that grieve the loss of a child as we do. We hope our story will be a source of strength for someone, as the stories we have heard and read are just that for us -- strength in knowing we are not alone.

Although we are Christians, we believe faith is a personal journey -- one we do not often share publicly. We do believe that our precious son is being cared for by our Heavenly Father. We won't often shout about our faith, but from time to time, if we are especially moved by a powerful voice, we may feel the urge to share. This morning, as the heavens pour their rain on the earth, the lyrics of the song "Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me have shown their power.

I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise you, Jesus, bring the rain.