A DIFFERENT WAY - THE INTERRUPTED LIFE XVI by Eleanor Shepherd

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Luis and Sofia thought they were in charge of their own lives. They had one little girl that they adored and when she was 10 they decided they would like to have another child. Before long Sofia was pregnant with a little boy. They were absolutely delighted! 

However their joy was turned to sorrow when after a visit to the doctor when Sofia was twelve weeks along, he had difficulty hearing the heartbeat.  Filled with fears and sadness, that she would not be able to bear this son, she was told to return in one week and they would monitor the situation. When she returned, her worst fears were realized. There was no heartbeat to be heard. The baby had died and the family were devastated. How could they explain this to their excited ten-year old, Maria, who was thrilled at the prospect of having a little brother?

Things had been going so well for them. Their situation was coming together nicely for them financially. They had a fine group of friends, most of whom shared their faith. Much of their life centred around the church where they were both growing in their faith and Luis was dedicating himself to his task as an assistant leader of the congregation. 

The question that haunted them was how they could explain to their little girl that God had let them down. The God they had been teaching her about had allowed Maria’s  baby brother to die before he was even born.  As they feared her reaction was not good. She burst out in anger at a God who would take away her innocent little brother. 

   Sofia could not respond intelligently to Maria, as her own heart was broken. Luis felt hopeless and totally ill at ease in the midst of the turmoil and did not how to deal with it all. On top of his concern for the emotional state of his wife and daughter, was the anxiety that while funds were available to him to cover the medical expenses, he did have a cash flow challenge and could not produce them immediately. They lived in a country that did not provide medical coverage for its citizens.  

They felt their faith was being put to the test. Tearfully Sophia tried to reason it all out. The Lord had provided for their material needs and then He had taken away what they most wanted. Why? While she could not understand, she tried to trust that God knew what He was doing. At any rate, she could do nothing to change the reality of the situation. 

Luis tried to push his questions away so that they would not upset the balance of his faith and push him into the emotional turmoil in which his wife and daughter were struggling. He clung tenaciously to the words from the Bible in Job 1: 22, “The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord.”

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In the midst of their grief and sorrow Luis and Sofia discovered the support that came from their friends that helped to carry them through this difficult time. Though many of them did not know what to say or sometimes made inappropriate remarks, they came and surrounded them with love and care and that was what they needed. Those who have not suffered in this way cannot completely understand the experience, but the kindness they showed helped to ease the pain. 

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It comes as no surprise to those of us who have travelled the faith journey for many years that these challenging days were instrumental in the growth of their faith. 

Looking back now, Luis and Sofia can see how God used this sad experience to take them to greater depth in their relationship with Him. He also blessed them as through adoption He gave them their son, David. 

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Luis says, “I know that we lost a baby, that’s a fact that won’t change, but God gave us the opportunity of receiving David into our lives. He offered a different way of having a son. …David changed my life... I didn’t know I was going to be able to love him the way I do. I didn’t know it was possible for me to love my two children in the same way, even though both came by different means. Both of them are part of my life in the same way; both of them cause me happiness in the same way; both of them have made me work hard on myself in the same way. I know God knew what he was doing in me that day.”   

Maria, now a young lady, has been delighted to have a little brother to nurture as he grows. 

Word Guild Award
2011

Word Guild Award
2009

Eleanor Shepherd from Pointe Claire, Quebec has more than 100 articles published in Canada, France, the U.S.A., Belgium, Switzerland and New Zealand. Thirty years with The Salvation Army in Canada and France including ministry in Africa, Europe, Haiti and the Caribbean furnished material for her award-winning book, More Questions than Answers, Sharing Faith by Listening. Other award winning stories appear in the books Hot Apple Cider and Christmas with Hot Apple Cider. She co-authored with her husband Glen the Bible Study book Why? Families. As well as writing, she conducts workshops on listening skills and prayer. Eleanor recently retired from being the pastor of an English speaking congregation in Montreal with The Salvation Army. She is currently pursuing studies to become a Prayer Companion. Eleanor and Glen have two adult children: John who is pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Therapy in Toronto and Elizabeth who is a professional musician, nominated for Juno awards for her last five jazz albums.