Perfect and Beautiful. These were the words spoken by a woman who has lost 9 babies and has no living children. A woman who loves and lives her life to the fullest, a woman who speaks truth, who is authentic with her faith, and who chose to share her 39th birthday, due date for her last baby and her sister's due date for her first born with us at the GRACE Conference. Her name is Judy Howard Peterson and she is the campus pastor at North Park Univeristy in Chicago.
Look for the perfect and beautiful were the words spoken to her as she gave birth to her first stillborn, a memory I can relate to. The nurse said that sometimes the perfect and beautiful are obvious, right in front of you and othertimes you have to search for them. As you can see from the posted photos of Briana we didn't have to look too far, everything about her was beautiful.
Pastor Judy also caused me to look at my faith in a new refreshing way, to image what and where I see God, he's always there but it may look different at times. I can see him crying with his arms wrapped around me as we were searching for Briana's heartbeat. I can see him cheering as she entered the world and jumping up and down as he showed us how beautiful and perfect he created her to be, and I see him still catching my tears as I write and remember my little girl. Have you ever noticed how good it feels to remember and to cry sometimes?
There were so many other truths I learned from her this past weekend and I'll be sharing. But before I end this posting here is something to think about, why not be that something perfect and beautiful for someone that may be searching for it. That is what Judy was to me this past weekend.
You have been a blessing to so many people, including me. We miss you guys!
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