“Before I started to put you together in your mother, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart as holy. I chose you to speak to the nations for Me.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLV)
My heart goes out to Michelle Duggar and her family this morning. There is an outpouring of love for the Duggars from families of all sizes. And yet here I am only in the third sentence and already making reference to the Duggar’s family size. They have a big family. They have a lot of kids. Those two facts do no diminish the truth that this baby, although not to be met on this side of heaven, was unique and ordained by God. This baby was loved as though it was an only child. This precious human life was prayed over and dreamed about just like Hannah trusted and believed God for Samuel.
“Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.”
Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
My friend Cindy has written a wonderful post this week entitled “Why does the World Hate the Duggars,” which I encourage you to read {just skip the comments, people are getting silly in there.} She hit the nail on the head while listing nine reasons why Duggar family life makes America feel incredibly uncomfortable. Their life of seeking Jesus with every fiber of their being, and willingly sacrificing their flesh to raise Godly children for his glory-it’s not the stuff that our culture promotes. In our own family we have found that the cost of having children is well worth the investment.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are blessed. They are still blessed in the face of this baby’s death. No, God is not trying to “send the Duggars a message that maybe they’ve had enough children.” As a wonderful sister wrote on Holy Spirit-led Homeschooling’s Facebook wall last night:
“Such sad news. I disagree that this might be God telling her she shouldn’t have more babies (it was God, after all, Who caused her to conceive) but maybe He is giving this gracious couple with a worldwide audience to show how a family loves God’s blessings – even those who die before birth…In a world filled with disregard for human life the Duggars are a breath of fresh air and I have no doubt that they will glorify God through all of this and hopefully get through to doubters that God is in control of the womb; not man.”
In a world where human life has lost it’s value I too agree that the Duggars are a breath of fresh air. There’s countries like China that have birth limits and levy high fines along with forced abortions to those who don’t comply. Life is so devalued that Pro-Life nurses are feeling forced to assist in abortions in American hospitals while being told “You just have to catch the baby’s head. Don’t worry, it’s already dead.’ And sadly “coin toss” abortions are making news in-which a disabled twin is aborted, while the other twin is left is grow in the mothers womb. Still, some are shocked when these abortions “mess up” and the “wrong twin” is aborted.
This brings us back to the Duggars. The loss of their baby is tragic. But that baby, along with all the aborted babies world-wide, is in the arms of Jesus. I have no doubt though that the Lord will continue to give this blessed family a platform to shine forth His true that all children are a blessing.
These sweet words are from the Duggars website this morning:
“Our prayer is that baby Duggar’s passing will help us all realize that this life is short, and our relationship with Jesus is the most important thing. He gives us a peace in our hearts as He guides us through whatever we might face.”
We love you, Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar & Family
Romans 8:28
Here are inspiring resources from Vision Forum on family, children and loss:
The Hopeful Theology of Miscarriage (DVD)
The Blessing of Children Collection (2 Books, 1 DVD, & 1 CD)
Today is Big Family Friday here at Holy Spirit-led Homeschooling. If you are a big family in number, or a big family at heart, please link-up your encouraging blog post below. There are not a lot of rules. Just link-up any posts that inspire family life. If you would, please link back here so that we may find one another.
I have read many posts with outpourings of sorrow for the Duggars. I haven’t put a comment anywhere, because I discovered in the comments section are some of the most horrible people in the world! Just thinking about some of the things I saw makes my stomach constrict. So now, I’m just reading posts and not the comments. I know here, though, only the positive things will go through!
I love the Duggars and first saw them at “14 and counting”. That she homeschools them all as well really amazes me. I’m certain that this wasn’t “just another kid” and yes, they loved it just like it was their first. I hope they’ve got screeners that never let them see the horrible stuff that’s said by Really Stupid People, and only passes on the encouraging comments.
The way they raise their kids is an inspiration to everyone that chooses to believe the same way they do.
I pray protection over them too Dawn. They still have a hard road ahead, but I know God will bring them through.
Your comments are so soothing and so filled with truth. How the Duggars act through this will bring Jesus to the fore front for those that do not know Him. God’s grace is sufficient for us all when we lean on Him. The Duggars are rooted in God and you can see that every time you see them. Though many will say this happening is from God, we all know that God had a plan even before Michelle got pregnant. He has a plan that will bring glorify to Him through the loss for the Duggars!! Praying for them!!
Yes Sonya, God will still get the glory from this situation!
I am not familiar with the Duggars (sure, I know about them, but have never watched them or read about them really)
However, I do have a child with Down syndrome, and what you say is so true. In the name of “saving them from a cruel world, or from the limitations they will face” up to 90% of babies with Ds are aborted. it breaks my heart! My daughter has been a GIFT and a vessel of God. God’s own hands working in my life to show me, and teach em what really matters. She is not broken at all, I am.
Thanks fr bringing that up!
Ellen you grip my heart,”she is not broken, I am.” Boy, that’s the truth for all of us. Thank you for sharing,
After having a miscarriage earlier this year (I was already pro-life) I more now than ever do not understand how a life can be thrown away.
It is so very encouraging to hear other people out there voice what I feel in my heart. Because often, I feel so alone in my convictions about children, even among strong Christians. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you Carolyn. I have times when I feel alone too, but the Lord is so good to encourage us. Thank you for reading.
I so appreciated your post about the Duggars. I was wondering if I could re-post it on my blog? Thank you for your consideration. Blessing, Naomi
Naomi, you may link to it on your blog but please don’t copy/paste the entire post.
I’m so glad that it was a blessing! xoxo
Thank you Jamerill. I will link it. Have a blessed day.
)
No matter what people say about the Duggars I believe they are good people. Yes they do have a lot of children but all of the children are well taken care of and seem very respectful.
As a mother I can not imagine loosing a child that I have not even met. I realize that the family does not use birth control but I would hope michelle would take what has happened as a sign that she may be approaching an age where her body can’t take any more babies.