Below is the text from an email I sent out to our families and our church recently regarding Megan’s pregnancy with baby #2 (not Ethan).
Dear family and friends,
It appears that the Lord, in his goodness and wisdom, has decided to call our little one home.
We accept this hard providence as good for the baby, and good for our family (Romans 8:28 [show] [28]And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)
). We also echo the words of Job: “Shall we receive good from the Lord, and not receive [hardship] also?”
There are important decisions to be made now regarding Megan’s health, namely, whether to wait for a natural passing of the baby or to perform a medical procedure to accomplish this. There are risks and benefits to both options; please pray that He would grant us wisdom and patience as we work through the next steps.
“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Thank you for praying with us.
In His Sovereign grip,
Aron, Megan, and Ethan Gahagan
As best as we can tell, the baby was about 6-8 weeks into the pregnancy. I hadn’t posted the news here yet, but for those who knew about the pregnancy and about Megan’s complications, we do appreciate everyone’s prayers. We embrace this outcome as the Lord’s answer to our prayers – may it never be said that “He did not answer” them. Our pastor visited us recently and read Psalm 139 [show] O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
[2]You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
[3]You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
[4]Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
[5]You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
[6]Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
[7]Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
[8]If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
[9]If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
[10]even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
[11]If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,"
[12]even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
[13]For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
[14]I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
[15]My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
[16]Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
[17]How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
[18]If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
[19]Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
[20]They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain!
[21]Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
[22]I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
[23]Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
[24]And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!, which had been a great comfort to us during the complications. Through tears, he reminded us that this child was not “taken too soon”, but lived out his full life in the plan of God. We were much comforted by the following verses especially:
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, the infant King, we are truly sorrowful, and yet abundantly joyful. “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away – blessed be the name of the Lord!”
gmail.com
Christa and I share in your sorrow and we hope and pray that God guides you through this time. Take care, my friend.
We just spent two lessons on Job in Sunday School. I had never noticed the verse that reads “Shall we receive good from the Lord, and not receive [hardship] also?” It was moving to see its truth applied in this, a much more ‘real world’ situation.
I was/am impressed and grateful at the level of understanding that our church high schoolers possess regarding difficult spiritual issues. Be encouraged as I am encouraged: a child raised in the Lord and taught by his parents “when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise” (Deut 6.7 [show] [7]You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (ESV)
) will not soon depart from it. Although he will never fully understand our Father’s ways, Ethan will know that God is God. This is the beginning of wisdom.
I am so sorry to read this. Just felt called to come check up on an old friend. I too miscarried before Elise. I know the pain. I pray you have rediscovered the joy in your days after the sadness. I am awaiting a sunrise of my own from the darkness of the storms of sin. Much love my friend. -Robin
@Robin: Thanks, Robin. It was a hard time, and there are still pangs of sadness here and there, but we know God is, and does, only good. We’re eager for another opportunity to raise up a covenant child. Best to you and yours (say hi to Chris for me), AG