By Pastor Leah Fintel Krotz, Trinity Lutheran Church, Bruning
Rick and I recently attended the LCMC Annual Gathering in Cedar Rapids, Iowa—three days of Bible study, hearing wonderful preaching and teaching, joining in joyous worship, renewing friendships, and receiving encouragement for the work of the Kingdom.
A personal highlight for me was meeting Paulus Pilgrim, the pastor who baptized me 57 years ago at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Byron. He received a new call when I was two years old, so I didn’t remember him except by name, and it was such a blessing to visit with him and hear his memories of my parents.
During his time at St. Paul, my parents lost their first child, a little girl named Lisa Kay who was stillborn. Pastor Pilgrim ministered to them during this difficult time. The loss of a baby has affected many families, and it’s a unique and devastating kind of grief—one that my parents, my sister and her husband, and my son and his wife have all experienced.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This month honors the memory of those affected by pregnancy and infant loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and other pregnancy-related deaths. As we lift up those who are hurting, let’s remember that our Heavenly Father knows and loves each one of these precious children and their families, and is walking beside them in their pain.
“The Lord God will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.” ~Isaiah 40:11
