“Beautiful Things” is one of my favorite songs and videos for lots of reasons. Please click on the name of the song to hear it and watch the super cool rendition of the lyrics before you continue reading this blog post. No really. Here’s the link again so you know I really think you should listen to it and watch it this way. Beautiful Things.
What in the world could possibly be beautiful about the death of a baby? The only thing I know is that the comfort we give others brings to life the importance of the little lives that we have lost to death. That is beautiful.
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” John 12:24
So, what if the seed of your sadness needs to be planted in the depths so that the beauty of your child’s life can sprout into hope and comfort for someone else who has lost a child? Maybe without your comfort and sadness another person who has lost their child might feel alone and be lost to despair. Maybe the light of that little life would be snuffed out in this life without you comforting that mama and letting her celebrate that little life.
Maybe…
Maybe you talking to others about your child’s life and the importance of celebrating life at conception will help someone. Maybe that someone is in a desperate and alone state of pregnancy and the truth you speak will cause her to reconsider the abortion she was going to have. Maybe a life is saved because of the loss of the life of your child. There is no exchange. It’s not fair that your baby is gone, but wouldn’t you rather God make something beautiful out of the ashes of your sadness?
Maybe your celebration of your child’s life shows someone a glimpse of God’s love for us in every situation. And maybe that woman decides to finally give her life to Jesus… a seed is planted and life grows. Maybe.
If you share your pain and comfort and joy with someone else, maybe the death of your sweet seed will turn into a Beautiful Thing, beauty from ashes.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3
My prayer for you:
My prayer for all of us is that God will use this awful pain for something beautiful.
A Prayer You Could Pray:
Dear Jesus, thank you that Your hideous death turned into eternity for those of us who believe. Thank you that Your life and death are beautiful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Things to Ponder, Journal, and Pray About:
- What is something beautiful you could buy or create to have near you as inspiration and comfort today?
- Who needs something beautiful in your life today?
- Tell God how you feel about your child’s life and death being beautiful hope for someone else.
PRACTICAL CHALLENGE:
Read through the Lyrics to Beautiful Things by Gungor and circle or highlight, even annotate, what stands out to you.
Beautiful Things By Lisa and Michael Gungor
Beautiful Things lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change, at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come out from this ground, at all?
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around,
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found, in you
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
Oh, you make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
You make me new,
You are making me new
You make me new,
You are making me new
(Making me new)
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
Oh, you make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
You make me new,
You are making me new
You make me new,
You are making me new
3 You Can See 