When our child leaves this earth, we feel so very lost in our identity. Who am I now? Does it even matter? How can I go on? Do I even want to?
So much of our identity is wrapped up in being a parent, but we are still so much more than being a parent, even if it doesn’t seem like it. In today’s episode, Laura reminds us of this, along with helping us discover a key to who we can be, as we continue our time here on earth without our child.
Note: Today’s episode is being sponsored by Duane & Sylvia Goertzen in memory of their teen daughters Sophie and Acacia.
Links Mentioned in this episode:
Listen to episode 211 with Kim Peacock.
Find out more about Laura’s newly released book Reflections of Hope: Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents.
Find out more about My Grief Journey.
Click here to go to the GPS Hope webstore for this month’s special: Order both Reflections of Hope and My Grief Journey, and use promo code MGJFree.
Click here to order the Audiobook on Audible.
Birthdays:
Jacob Gary was born on August 6 and is forever 21.
Travis M. Blair was born on August 9 and is forever 30.
Christopher Hotch was born on August 10 and is forever 31.
Jacob Holiday was born on August 10 and is forever 26.
If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.
The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.
Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!
To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.
Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.
It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.
who understands everyone’s journey through mourning and into healing is an individualized process and it is priceless to connect with someone who “gets it”. She has many years of corporate experience where she strategized success for individuals and teams. Today she uses those same skills as she leads and guides those who have experienced major tragedies, deep heartaches and mind altering disappointments. 
of Queensland, Australia, and had the privilege of being Kari-Lee’s mother. She is married to Peter and has one remaining daughter, Tiana. Rhyl currently works as a nanny, but before Kari-Lee went to Heaven, she worked as an Occupational Therapist, spending the last twenty years working with children who had moderate to severe disabilities. 
This is a perfect example of how your beliefs drive your thoughts. If you believe that staying in your pain will keep the memory of your child alive, then you will continue in that emotional state of despair. You will not be able to live a life of peace, hope, and fullness (which includes living a life of meaning and purpose again, not in spite of your child’s death, but because of his or her life).
When God created us, He did an amazing thing. One of the ways He made us in His image is by allowing us to think our own thoughts. He does not control our thoughts, even though He could. He allows us to think He is the evil one.
pain and darkness you have ever faced and turn it into a lie that God doesn’t love you, or that He has turned His back on you.
What you focus on is what you will grow. So, if you continue to focus on the pain and loss, it will grow until it is ready to consume you and overtake you. But if instead you think about, focus on, and give thanks for what or who you still have, that is what will begin to grow, and eventually it will bring you out of that deep dark place.
Sharing Hope (
