The joy and pain of babies

My heart is all over the place today when I think about babies and the joy and pain they bring into their parents lives and the lives of those around them. A little over a week ago one of my oldest childhood friends and her husband lost their precious baby boy. This was a child that was loved and so meant for this family and yet God choose to bring him back to himself. I'm sure there are a lot of why's going around, but I've been asking God to help heal the broken hearts of the mommy and daddy that are left behind.

Then there is this joy that's coming from two other friends, one of my oldest childhood friends and an old coworker who are having their babies (hopefully today). Joy for their upcoming arrivals and the blessings that these little ones will bring to their families lives.

Yet my mind is never far from this couple that had to say goodbye to their son last week. And just yesterday a friend called to tell me that she and her husband are finally pregnant but keeping it quiet until she's a little further along. So now I pray extra hard for this little baby and that it will make it full term and be healthy.

For most babies bring up all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings, images, and smells. For others their hearts break when they think about that baby they lost or that they haven't been able to have. For me I am trying to remember that each child created was made by the King in His image and with a purpose.

So for my friends that are mourning I will mourn with you for as long as you need me. For my friends that are rejoicing the very very soon arrivals of their blessings I will rejoice you!

Heart problems

One of the things I often tell others when they ask me to tell them something about me is "I love really big" and part of this is that I feel like I have a huge heart. This heart problem however often gets me into trouble because I feel like it's broken more often than not, but generally not for me but for others.

I was even told recently "remember this isn't about you, this didn't happen to you" in reference to an ache I felt for the loss a dear friend was going though. This type of statement cuts to my core. What I'm finally figuring out is this heart issue is much bigger than having a heart the size of a giant or even just an enlarged heart for an average person. My heart issue is a direct result of a spiritual gift that my Father has entrusted me with.

I can't and won't keep apologizing who don't understand my heart problems. If during a conversation I share with you I express that my heart is hurting, broken, or full of joy for a friend or loved please understand that's just it. No more and no less.

I simply just Love Big! How about you?

Why write?

I'm not sure that blogging is the right venue for me, but I've come to the conclusion that I have a lot to say, well about everything. I'm not a scholar, not a parent, not a wife, or a lot of other things and because of this people around me like to say that I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't think you need to be an expert to listen in, give advice, or share a story.

So this blog will be my place where The Girl Next Door will share some of those conversations. Topics will range from sports to the gospel and yes if I believe hell is real (I'm reading Love Wins right now).

So there you have it, follow if you'd like!

Love,
the girl next door