Thank you for your prayers, when I tell you they are making a difference I mean it. I’m walking in the most amazing bubble of grace.
*****
I’ve been reading Emma the comments, Facebook messages and emails from all of you. Words are powerful. They can be encouraging. Words and prayers bring hope, love and healing. Yesterday, she asked me to ask for prayer for the “other thing” going on with her. I hadn’t really shared with you the “other thing” because I wasn’t certain she wanted me to. But she does. She wants a covering of prayer. So, briefly…
Her boyfriend (the dad) has broken off their relationship. He of course, says he’ll be “there” for the baby. I’ll start by saying that The Husband and I feel strongly that this is the right thing. The two of them have completely different starting points for life. They have polar opposite views of faith. Although Emma wasn’t living her beliefs when she got pregnant she quickly came back to her foundational truth. She thought he would come along with her. But it’s as if they’re speaking different languages. And in fact, they are aren’t they?
Emma is broken. Feeling rejected and pushed aside. She feels very alone. After all, it’s one thing to be pregnant and not married but have a relationship with someone who loves and supports you. Someone who will help you make the decisions that lie ahead … but it’s another thing to be pregnant without a loving partner to share your journey. She’s truly grieving. She is feeling unspeakable stress.
So in a nutshell, in addition to the physical issues, Emma has a heart issue. Please pray for her. Grief is necessary but it’s not ideal when you’re growing a tiny life.
I’m saying prayers for each and every precious one who reads this, that God would meet you right where you are today. And show you, as only He can do, how very much you are loved.
And to all the mom’s out there…Love and smooches… what you’re doing matters. Every single seemingly insignificant thing matters.
Praying for both you and Emma this morning. My heart aches for both of you. How appropriate that you have been reading plan B ~ as you are living out a plan B at the moment. I hope that Emma may find comfort and solace in your arms and in the arms of Jesus. I don’t have any eloquent well thought out words this morning (lack of sleep and caffeine, I suppose), but I did want you (both) to know you are on my heart and in my prayers. “Love and Smoooches” to both of you this Mother’s Day weekend!
Just got done reading in my Beth Moore study….that Christ came to bind up the broken-hearted…that is a promise for all of us to claim…I know what she is feeling and you can be with your family and a room full of friends and feel so lonely…Praying that she would feel God’s presence and love and that He will meet her need—He is able to and will never let her down 🙂
I am so sorry she is having to go through this…it always helped me for people to tell me that I was not always going to feel like this…things will get better and the sun will shine again! It truly will but it is so hard to believe…when you are behind a big cloud…
Jennifer Clause
.-= Jennifer Clause´s last blog ..BABY DOVE…NEW LIFE =-.
Praying for Emma and God’s provision. May Emma’s and the baby’s heart be filled with the comfort of the heavenly Father. This Father who loves beyond our understanding. I was touched Sunday when I saw a young girl who was praising God for being her heavenly daddy since her earthly daddy had passed away when she was two. She had a grateful heart too. Not without pain but grateful. Praying for God’s will and welcoming hugs for Emma and the baby. To provide for the earthly love, support and people they need in their lives. May the peace and love of God always be there and provide an amazing love.
.-= Tom Raines´s last blog ..Today’s Affirmation: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. =-.
Emma,
You didn’t lose someone. You didn’t get set aside. Although I know not anything of the specific person, I do know of a little girl I watched grow up. A little girl, now a young woman, who now has a little girl whom almighty God selected specifically for her and her alone. A little girl, now a young woman, who dreams of a delightful home. And God, knowing the dreams this little girl dreamed, has said, “That is not good enough for you my love.” For He is the one that remembers your real dreams. The ones He gave to you. The ones that can now come true.
Emma may not have a loving partner to join her on this journey, but she is very blessed to have her loving family. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes “good enough” gets in the way of having great! I pray that someone great will come along for Emma that will help her understand why she’s going through the heartache now.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and Mom-to-be Emma!
Oh Robin…….it’s so hard for us mom’s to see our children, our daughter’s in pain, and heartache is the worst!! I’m praying for all of you.
I’m so sorry you are all going thru this. {{{HUGS}}}}
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..I’m Lovin’ It – My Mom =-.
Aw, sweet Emma.
As a single mother, who went through a miserable relationship, I often wish that I would never have married the father. It would have saved SO much heartache and pain. It’s a good thing, like you said, that this has happened now. It’s SO much harder on down the road.
I know she hurts, and that just sucks. But this is truly a blessing.
Love & hugs to Emma and the sweet baby.
.-= BlissfulBabe´s last blog ..Oh, If Only. =-.
Robin,
I’m praying for Emma, and for you, as you both go through this time.
Annie
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Musings of a Violinist =-.
Still praying for her. I have a friend who just gave birth to her daughter. Her husband left her and her 2 kids while she was about 5 months pregnant for another woman. It was awful. Plus adding in all those pregnancy hormones. But, I think she is now at peace with it all. Her daughter being born seems to have calmed everything. Hope the same happens for your daughter.
Boy, sometimes life is just so darn hard. That wonderful bubble of love that obviously surrounds your family will make all the difference. Thoughts and prayers for healing of the body AND the heart…
Oh, Emma. They still haven’t made band-aids big enough for heartbreak, and I wish they would so I could offer you one. I’m sorry that your relationship fell apart, because I know how much it must hurt, but I will pray that it does work out for the best, both for you and for your baby. Many gentle hugs.
Phew… this took me a little bit to process but I want to share. Reading this took me back to my own ‘dark time’ I found myself in an abusive relationship, I have no idea how I got there, we were engaged and I thought everything was as it should be. I had given up all of my family and friends for this guy, again, I do not know how I got there.
Then I got pregnant.
It woke me up. This is not a life I wanted to bring a baby into and how in the world did I get here? I was a strong independent woman before him, who is this person looking back at me now?
So I left and cut all ties with him, he didn’t want me to. He followed me and did horribly things to me, my friends, my family (even distant cousins), and my dog. He was arrested and I, and my baby, were safe again.
I look back now and those first three years were fantastic and I wouldn’t trade them for anything! I rebuilt ties with my friends and family and rediscovered myself as a strong woman and mother. I did meet the man of my dreams (most of the time ha!) and he is a great Dad to my son. I have a very special and close relationship with my son because it was just the two of us (and our family) for those first three years.
I have hope and faith for your daughter, while her situation is not as dire as mine was, the concept remains the same. If her and this man are not speaking the same language it’s going to be difficult to raise a healthy and whole child.
It may be hard now but it is all part of God’s plan.
I will pray for her heart, and for her to find strength.
~Kelli
My heart goes out to you, Emma and your entire family. I know she and the baby will get all the support that they need!
We will be praying. I find myself coming back to this though a lot. God’s plan is bigger then just me. I get to be a part of it, but it is bigger then my life. Often times the hurts and pains are needed for reasons we may never know. The hope, the joy, comes in knowing that in His infinite wisdom He can use our failings and our downfalls and turn them into amazing stories of Grace.
I am glad to hear that Emma is returning to her Lord and Savior. He really is the only one that can provide peace through this. May He carry her in His arms and comfort her day by day.
.-= Philip´s last blog ..A Mother’s Profession =-.
We may not understand why we are going through what we are but God knows! He has a plan for you Emma and your daughter. It may look bleak now but just trust and place your faith in God. He is in control!
One of my favorite verses that I look to when having a trying time is this:
All things work together for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28)
Praying for you Emma!
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Easy Key Lime Pie =-.
I just have so much respect and admiration for Emma to honestly share this in such an open fashion. Such courage. I also can’t help but think “there but by the grace of God go I…” I look back to my late teens and early 20’s and know that I made so many questionable choices… and I just got lucky in not having a life changing consequence come my way.
Praying for you sweet Emma… may you continue to find strength and love…God’s love, in all the broken places.
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..My first ever giveaway! =-.
I am so thankful for her foundation and her parents. She is in God’s hand and, even though she knows that, it is still hard.
My ex left when my son was 1 month old. I have raised him and he will graduate from high school this year. He is the sweetest man of God that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I have a bond with him that a lot of two parent families do not have. I say that in order for you and her to see that #1 God is good…always good. He has met all of our needs and then some. #2 It is going to be just fine. Just not in the way that she imagined.
The advise that I would offer is this: she needs to keep herself surrounded with those that love her. She and all of you need to speak good positive words. This child is hearing everything that is spoken and felt.
I am adding my prayers to all of the others. Prayers for healing and rest. Prayers that your sweet child will allow the forgiveness to touch her.
Bless her heart! How crushing, especially with everything else that has been going on. I will continue to pray for her. And, ((hugs)) to you, the mom, who has to watch and not be able to fix it – that has to be HARD.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Welcome Coffeeshop and TidyMom Readers! =-.
To Mama and Soon to be Mama,
My love and prayers for God’s wisdom and comfort. His love for you is beyond comprehension. Your little one is fearfully and wonderfully made by Him. All is in His control.
Love to you!
.-= elizabeth´s last blog ..I simply remember my favorite things…Friday favs…I’m lovin’ good old Dave Ramsey style window shoppin’! =-.
em-
praying continually. you are on my heart every moment. so much love being poured out to you and baby. im here to cry with you if you need..and then when the moment comes…which it will..im here to rejoice with you.
Love you.
Robin,
my heart goes out to Emma! I cannot imagine the heartache she is feeling! But as you know, God’s plans are often different than ours! Prayers going up for her, the baby and the rest of the family!
Rene’
.-= Rene Smith´s last blog ..Hello again! =-.
robin, when you mentioned that grief is not ideal when growing a life, my thoughts went immediately to todd beamer’s wife. she was pregnant when her husband died on sept. 11, yet God sustained her and she gave birth to a beautiful daughter. He is going to do the same thing for Emma.
.-= jenn´s last blog ..I Scream, You Scream… =-.
Praying for you Emma, and your little one!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Watcha Workin’ on Wednesday =-.
I know it would be hard to face having a baby alone, even being married it feels overwhelming. But, that little life is a great blessing! I will be praying for Emma!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..Just a couple SWEET pictures… =-.
Thinking about the both of you and missing you. I read your blogs everyday hoping for good news. Love and kisses for you both.
Robin,
You and Emma and this precious baby are in my prayers. I did have a ‘feeling’ she was having a Heart Issue and while I am sorry to hear it confirmed I think asking for prayer is a huge step. She has you and her Dad and this blogging family on her side. God of course is always there with her and always will be. I used to say God never left me, I may have left him but he was always there for me and with open arms at my return. This is true unconditional love.
Blessing to you all.
Linda
.-= Linda @ A La Carte´s last blog ..P IS FOR PYREX =-.
love and prayers… sweet ladies…
xxo, kim
.-= kim klassen´s last blog ..guest sharing on simply hue =-.
Oh Robin, my heart is ACHING for Emma. As I told you I was pregnant when I got married (42 years ago)!!! But I am blessed because my Joe was right there by my side every single step of the way. So, I can’t imagine how stressful this is for Emma. PLEASE tell her I am praying for her and hoping she will find peace. She is surrounded by you and the family who love her and are supporting her….and I thank you for that. It is invaluable to her right now and one day she will look back and know that you loved her and supported her through all this. God is holding you all in his hands and guiding you all. I will continue to pray for Emma’s HEART!!!! XO, PInky
Prayers for all of you as you offer support to dear Emma. May she continue to grow in her faith as she faces the days and weeks to come. Wishing you both many blessings on this Mother’s Day weekend.
.-= Jojo´s last blog ..Think About This As We Approach Mother’s Day =-.
Hi Robin (and Emma) – I was looking for an email so I could write you a private message, but here goes. I lurk on your blog a lot and I feel, Robin, that I am very similar to you. My youngest daughter just went through a high-risk pregnancy while single and unmarried and baby daddy out of the picture. My granddaughter then had to spend the first month of her little life in the NICU, and my daughter “lived” there with her, while I traveled back and forth daily and worked full time simultaneously. After getting her baby home, my daughter decided to go into detox for the prescription pain pills she’d been on for four years. She’s now clean and sober and baby is doing great, although my daughter is now suffering from post-partum depression.
I credit my daughter’s inner strength, which I like to believe I helped her form (as a single mom raising my own two girls), for getting herself to where she is today. She has overcome many, many obstacles in her path.
My point is, I guess, that I appreciate how you are there for your daughter. Your daughter is lucky to have you and your love and support. I learned through my own journey with my daughter that many girls aren’t so lucky. They come home unwed and pregnant and often are rejected by the parents, or only begrudgingly supported.
It is also nice, in a weird way, to know that what I went through with my daughter wasn’t so unique, and I’m not alone either. I wanted to offer my support and prayers, although I’ve never met you or your daughter. I wish you both the very, very best, and that she has a happy healthy baby.
PS – my daughter was blessed wtih the easiest baby ever, who is truly a miracle in our lives. She’s brought healing and love to our family in so many ways already and she’s only 2 months old.
Hugs, Claire
.-= Claire´s last blog ..Exhaling Slowly =-.
As you know we’ve walked this path ourselves. Now tangled in a legal battle as well. I pray that Emma finds peace with the decisions that have been made, that she realizes just how incredibly strong she really is and that all she has to do is look at the strong woman who raised her to know that she is going to be ok.
Happy Mother’s Day to you Robin. Happy Mommy to be to Emma!
Teri
I will so pray for Emma and trust that God will be so much to her right now. Your encouragement and heavenly focus has been BIG for me lately, please let Emma know she is in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I had more to say but I just want you to know that through your “crisis” I have been comforted in mine. God is really good isn’t He?! Even though I am struggling with Him right now I just have to go back and count the blessings and remember who He is and has been. Happy Mother’s Day!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..I Almost Moved into a Cave in Montana Today =-.
I’m keeping Emma in my prayers, together with your whole family… my sister went through a similar circumstance when she was 23. Got pregnant with someone she barely knew, who immediately cast her off and claimed it wasn’t his… when she told my parents, my dad was so hurt and angry that he didn’t speak to her for two whole months–despite the fact that she’d moved back into our parents’ house and they saw each other every day. It was a very lonely and painful time for my sister, and it took her a long time to get over it. For my parents, it took them a few months to overcome their shattered pride, but thankfully, they did. And once my niece Spencer was born, the love that she brought into our family and that poured out of each family member truly changed all our lives forever, and had a healing effect on us all. My sister continued to live at home for the next year and a half while she finished getting her masters and working part time (having very willing babysitters in me & my mom), and while it wasn’t easy for her to be so young and not living the grand social life of her friends—she still met and fell in love with her now-husband, when her daughter was barely 2 years old… He is a wonderful man, and had a 5 year old son from his first marriage, so they had an ‘insta’ family—but God couldn’t have orchestrated it better. The kids get along famously together, and my sister & her husband are still very much in love and happy together.
No one knows why some things happen in life, or what God is doing through trials like these–but we know He’s working for good in our lives, and He has a Plan—strange as it may seem to us. But “He is before ALL things, and in Him, all things hold together.” …I choose to rest in the belief that He knows what He’s doing, even when I don’t.
Love your heart–so open with us as to what is going on in your life and how you’re feeling—and love your sweet & precious family! Give Emma a hug from me, and know that I am always here for any of you, if ever you need anything.
Much love~
Thoughts and prayers are with Emma that she will be comforted by our loving Father who will carry her and her sweet baby through each day. May she find peace in knowing that God has a plan for her just like she did for my daugher who gave birth to a precious baby girl 6-1/2 years ago. She too was not married, but through this God brought an awesome young Christian man into her life who loves that baby girl totally and completely. And they are in youth ministry together and my heart is grateful in knowing that God had a plan all along–even though the journey was not without some heartache. Hope endures always!
.-= Sara L.´s last blog ..Beautiful Trash (can) =-.
Emma, I want you to know I’ve been praying for you every day since your mom told me about your sweet babe, and I will continue praying that whatever amazing path God is laying out in front of you, that you are able to see you are not alone, He is there with you as are so many of us. This is just one step in a long and bountiful life that you are going to have with your child. It may not feel like it now, but I have faith for you and know all shall be well…
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Let The Birthday Begin! =-.
I am struggling right now with ending a relationship THAT I KNOW needs to end but it is the hardest thing – emotionally gut wrenching over and over again. Just when I think the pain has stopped -something triggers it again and then again. And yet God……
So….this is hard. devastating. unfair. and wrong – like so much in our fallen world. I pray for the PEACE that PASSES understanding for Emma – I pray for true friends to hold her hand. I pray that she refuses shame since Jesus bore every bit of it on His cross.
At times of pain I have to remember to THANK GOD for delivering me from this relationship that I want so badly to have worked out. It is a deliverance. And I know that I know that one day – my feelings will catch up and in the meantime – I thank God for compassionate faithful friends and the God who refuses to let me go – who loves me enough to submit me to momentary suffering rather than a lifetime of regret. He is Faithful. I have never been – yet He loves me still. I praise God Emma does have her family who loves her more than ice cream:)