A baby with a diagnosis takes courage and faith. To all you mama’s out there who have this high and holy calling. I am in awe of you.

Here’s a peek into how HKYN minister’s to a hurting mama.

Lyndsey

“Hi, I’m currently 27 weeks pregnant with our son, Gideon Judah, and am due July 27. Gideon has been diagnosed with acrania which, by the time he is born, will be anencephaly. It’s a fatal condition and he is not expected to live long after birth. I found your ministry through an article about Brooke Martin and her infant loss story.”

My reply to Lyndsey

As I read your email, my heart cries with you.  What a heart-wrenching battle you are experiencing.  I am sure you are experiencing many tears and words cannot express the heartache you feel.  This journey and this battle will require you to lean on God daily to give you the strength you need.  He is your Comforter and He is your strength and I pray you lean on Him to guide you through this battle.

The name you gave your child, Gideon Judah is so perfect and planned by God. Gideon is a strong name and means “Great and Mighty Warrior.”  Judah means “praise”.  These names were not coincidental but have great meaning not only for Gideon Judah but also for you as well.  Your child, Gideon is a warrior in God’s army and He is a warrior after God’s heart.  In the Bible, Judges 6:12 states “When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”  The Lord is with your Gideon and Gideon is with the Lord. For reasons we do not know or understand, please know that Gideon is with the Lord.  Just as the Lord is with Gideon, the Lord is with you as well.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  He holds you in His right hand.  He fights your battles with you. 

God has placed a great warrior inside of you and chose you to carry this great and mighty warrior because God also knows that not only is Gideon a great warrior, but you, Lyndsey, Gideon’s mother, is a warrior too.  A warrior is one who stands clearly and powerfully for that which his heart and soul hold dear.  A warrior is one who shows great courage and is associated with confidence and honor.  God will help you be strong and courageous.  He will bestow on you confidence and honor. He will help you stand strong and powerfully for what you hold dear.

Lyndsey’s reply:

“Wow, Linda, I was honestly not expecting such a long and personal response to my initial email. I had to read certain parts more than once to let it soak in. We chose Gideon’s name exactly because we loved the significant meanings. My husband works in a Christian organization and we have a great support system here along with our church family.

Thank you for your encouraging and insightful words. I truly treasure them on this strange and hard journey of grief and hope.”

Then I checked with mama after Mother’s Day.

From Lyndsey:

“Mother’s Day was harder than I thought it would be. I hoped it would actually be mostly joyful because Gideon is still here with me. But it was hard because I still can’t hold my baby in my arms or kiss him or dress him in a cute Mother’s Day outfit. And it was hitting me that feeling him inside of me is the most I’m going to get with him for Mother’s Day. There was still some good, it was just harder than expected.”

This is nothing less than sacred.  I’m humbled to be invited in to secret places of suffering.  I taste and see the goodness God there and He meets me with truth, hope, peace and grace. Blessing a family with the gift of comfort so they don’t feel alone is one of the most incredible aspects of my ministry.  I have a team of woman who serve along side of me to bring their faith & hearts of gold to serve with me.

If you know someone who needs to be prayed for or encouraged please send them to my website so they can email their need to us. heknowsyourname.org