“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
The above quote is often used to refer to beautiful experiences; those moments that make life worth living… a stunning sunset, the birth of a precious baby, falling head over heels in love.
We hold onto each incredible second, wishing time would stand still just this once.
But just as those sacred moments so quickly pass us by, others stop us dead in our tracks.
A simple phrase, “There’s been an accident,” “it’s cancer,” “incompatible with life,”
Those words can never be taken back.
They cause our hearts to pound and our minds become hazy as we literally
gasp. for. breath.
Those earth-shattering words place an in-erasable mark on our life’s time line. There is no longer “life as usual” but life before and after the “news.”
After hearing the diagnosis that my unborn daughter would most likely not survive my pregnancy, I felt the impact of one of those moments. It was like a bomb exploding on my very being. Little frustrations no longer mattered as my entire existence became consumed with the unknown future of my baby girl.
And I wept. I prayed. I questioned.
When there was absolutely no one else to turn to, no solution to be had; I sat powerless at the feet of the only One who had any control of the situation; the only One who could speak silently to my heart, and whose whisper gave me unexplainable peace.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 emphasis added (NIV 2011)
Sometimes you may not understand it, others may not understand it, but His sweet grace and warm comfort will find you wherever you are.
The afterlife of shocking news often molds and changes us in a greater way than even the happiest of moments. If we allow Him to work, these experiences will not break us, but will bring us to a new level of intimacy with our Savior.
If you haven’t been there yet, have been there many times, or are fresh in the middle of the “news,” remember that He is willing and He is able.
Let Him have it.
______________________
Whatever your “news” has been, I would be honored to lift you up in prayer.
A sister in Christ,
Lily (A Lil Story)
Leave a Comment
Amy Hunt says
As I’ve sorted through my own losses, I’ve had to walk the road of understanding that He is good and I can trust His ways.
What you wrote is so beautiful, Lilly, and certainly comes from living a story of heartache and grief to see just how amazing He is. His grace is *that* big! He makes beauty out of pain, and it’s our obligation to tell of these times – and it’s then when we worship.
Rich blessings as you continue to turn to Him for understanding, Lilly…
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
Thank you Amy 🙂
Tania says
Thank you very much for sharing this ! It’s so true ! In the midst of our darkest struggle He is near, .. and He knows, .. and He understands. He sees the depths of our heart and He loves us the same. What an amazing grace !
I wish you a blessed week !
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
Thank you Tania 🙂 His grace is truly amazing! I learn that more and more each day 🙂
Monica @ In the Whisper says
“The afterlife of shocking news often molds us…”
So true and so beautiful. We were just speaking last night about the night my husband was hit by a car and the way those next few days affected me. Even though he survived and has had an amazing recovery, listening the voicemail from the fireman changed my life forever.
And praise God for the Savior.
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
Thank you Monica 🙂 I just read some of the posts about your husband on your blog. I am so glad that he is okay and i couldn’t imagine getting that news. It is a great testimony and I know you will never forget those first moments. thank you for sharing your story!
Rachel Tatem says
Thank you for sharing. My mom was just diagnosed with cancer, but God was very gracious with us, after her surgery she came back cancer free and now is doing radiation as a preventative. God is Great!
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
He is! That is wonderful news! I will definitely say a praise for your mom and pray she will continue to be cancer-free. 🙂
Sheila says
I started singing in the middle of reading your post b/c the scripture you posted was one of the songs my daughter learned at Vacation Bible School last year (Son Quest Rainforest). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer in petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God”. “And the peace of God will guard your hearts, the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
I’ve never read someone quote this scripture so thanks for sharing and letting me remember that fun tune!
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
Thanks Sheila, I know just the song you are talking about- my boys sing it too from church! This scripture has helped me in so many different ways over the past few years…. it continues to be a favorite 🙂
Linda says
In the midst of our devastation, we don’t realize the truth of your statement, “The afterlife of shocking news often molds and changes us in a greater way than even the happiest of moments. If we allow Him to work, these experiences will not break us, but will bring us to a new level of intimacy with our Savior.” It comes in time, thanks to God’s grace and love. Amazing grace. Amazing love. Beyond our comprehension. Thanks for sharing from your heart. Thanks for comforting us with the comfort God has given you.
Linda
Victoria says
Please pray for the McReynold’s family as a terrible accident has taken their baby girl, only 2 and so full of life, hope and love to heaven with Him. Pray for her Daddy, Jackson
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
Thank you for sharing this with me Victoria. I will absolutely lift Jackson and the McReynold’s family up in prayer, and I pray God will hold onto them tightly during this season of heartache and questioning as only He can.
Sara says
When my daughter died I held on to this scripture. I knew I would never understand why but had to trust. The step of blind faith is what made me see for the first time. Xx
Lily Dawn Bilsland says
It is a powerful verse- the “transcends all understanding” always stood out to me… and it took me a long time to accept that we are not supposed to understand everything right now. I have been reading your story on your blog and your testimony is beautiful and so inspiring to me- thank you Sara for sharing your family’s story.
becky Jane says
My mother lost a baby also. There is only one place to turn for peace…thank you for sharing your faith and testimony!
Kendall says
My “news” came July 26, 2010 at 6 months pregnant. My precious Mary Chandler was gone. I’m still trying to catch my breath. Thank you for sharing. It’s people like you who inspire and encourage me 🙂
Lily Dawn says
I am so sorry for your loss Kendall- I am praying for you as you catch your breath. Thank you for your encouragement as well 🙂
Anonymous says
My news came 3 weeks ago – May 12th, at my 20 week ultrasound. We found out our baby was a girl, AND had a large cystic hygroma on her neck and fluid in one of her lungs and around her heart. They believe she has Turner syndrome. That is the day I felt like I got the breath knocked out of me. I have been trying to recover ever since. We have been told our baby has a 2-7% chance of surviving. It took me almost a week, but I am now praying for God’s healing. We know he is way bigger than that 2-7%. Thank you for sharing this, it really lifted me up today. Tomorrow we have our first follow-up ultrasound, and again I feel like I’m holding my breath.
Sarah @ FatLittleLegs says
Sorry… I hit submit on the last comment before I filled in my name/email/website.
Lily Dawn says
Thank you Sarah- I am going to visit your blog now 🙂
Emily says
Lily, thank you for the post. All the writers at (in)courage are great, this is the first I’ve read from you but I appreciate your writing on “the news” and the reminder that God understands when we don’t. My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor two Thanksgivings ago; we grieved then, and went on to have a wonderful year of happy memory-making days with him as father and grandfather before he passed in January. “The news” was certainly a turning point for us, as we all searched for meaning in the change… but it was a good reminder to us that no one knows how many days he or she might have, and to make them all good. We change the road we’re following, always remembering that God is at the end of every road. Thank goodness he is! 🙂 And thank you again for the reminder. 🙂 Bless you.
Lily Dawn says
Emily, I am glad you were able to make those precious memories with your father. Those experiences change us in so many ways, and while the grief is so consuming- it does remind us to make each day count and be thankful that He is always there for us! Thank you for the encouragement 🙂 God bless~ Lily