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Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

We all have those moments in life where reality pierces our hearts. I had a moment like that yesterday. Okay….well…I had an afternoon like that yesterday. Heather from OhMyStinkinHeck linked through to a post from Angie Smith, which is a blog written by Angie Smith. (Note: Angie used to write at a blog called Bring the Rain, which is now AngieSmithOnline.com) Friends, I can’t encourage you strongly enough to go read this blog. If you had to choose between mine and hers, I’m telling you: PICK HERS.

Bring The Rain is the story of Audrey Caroline, the baby that Angie was carrying earlier this year. In January Angie and her husband Josh got terrible news about Audrey’s condition. The story from that point is Angie’s walk through the end of the pregnancy, Audrey’s birth and subsequent passing. Miraculously, the baby lived for a few hours after birth, allowing the family time to get to know her and say goodbye. The photos from that day are filled with more peace and joy than I have ever seen, given the sadness of the occasion.

Why do I want you to read such a sad story? Well, for a couple of reasons. Angie’s writing is so vivid and speaks so directly to your heart. I’m telling you, when she wrote about being up at 3 am praying and asking God, “Why?” I was right there with her.

Some would say that Angie is deeply religious. I disagree. It’s more accurate to say that Angie is deeply faithful to a God who allowed a terrible tragedy to play out in her life. As I write this, we’re about 2 months past Audrey’s birth and death and Angie is still grieving. She is sharing the experience as she lives it.

If you’ve ever experienced a terrible tragedy in your life, this blog is for you. Angie has so much love to share with her readers and she’s so honest about how hard this all has been. At the same time, she’s able to hang on to her faith and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

If you’ve never experienced a terrible tragedy in your life, this blog is for you. Angie’s experience is a deeply moving reminder of what’s really important in life.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to hug my kids.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who are thankful.