You would have thought I was on “Cloud 9” if you had seen me that day. And in some ways, I was. My brother and his family had come to visit me in Texas for the very first time. We were boating in Galveston and soaking up the sunshine. I was elated. But I was also having one of the worst days of my life. All at the same time.
A few days prior, I had been told by my doctor that the tiny baby I was carrying inside of me had no heartbeat. I was devastated, and by this point, when my family arrived, I had been waiting days to officially miscarry. The day my family arrived, I began to feel actual labor pains. I had never had a miscarriage before and did not know what to expect. The labor pains grew more and more intense as the day wore on. I tried to enjoy myself the best I could, as I didn’t want to waste a moment with my family. Finally, we all got in our cars and made the hour-long drive back to my house. The pain intensified during the drive. I remember squeezing my husband’s hand and trying not to make any audible noises so that I would not scare my kids or their cousins. We finally got home, and my body miscarried this tiny baby. I sobbed, prayed, washed my face, and then walked downstairs and spent time with the 13 family members who were in my house – some who would only be with us for a few days. It’s important to note that everyone grieves differently. But this is all I knew to do. I was so grateful that the Lord allowed my family to be with me during this difficult time.
A thought has pressed on my mind many times since this beautiful yet sorrowful day. How many people do I talk with, or how many people do I pass by, that have a smile hiding their grief? No one outside of my family could have seen what I was internally going through that day. The waiter couldn’t tell. The people I passed on the sidewalks couldn’t tell. Even my kids probably couldn’t tell. I was an emotional wreck inside, and yet I rode on a boat, I ate at a restaurant, and I played games.
My smile was not fake. I felt the joy of the Lord despite my emotional circumstances. But that smile absolutely hid a pain and grief that few knew about.
This leads me to my point. As we go about our lives today, join me in an important mission. Let’s remember that each person we come in contact with, whether smiling or not, could have some kind of hurt or sorrow they are dealing with internally. Maybe they have been deeply hurt by someone they thought loved them. Maybe they desperately want children but can’t have any. Maybe they’ve had miscarriage after miscarriage. Maybe they are going through a separation or divorce. Maybe they’re grieving a loss. Maybe they don’t know where their next dollar is going to come from. The point is, we just don’t know.
May we all be so careful with how we treat each other and give each other love and grace! May we offer a kind word to that friend, co-worker, church member, or even a stranger. For we truly don’t know what pain could be hiding behind their smiles.
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.”
~ Proverbs 12:25
Just a Mom’s View 