Women who each year on this day, hope that maybe next year they will have a baby growing inside.

If you ever just had to leave a baby shower because the waves of grief ambushed you even though you wanted so much to honor and celebrate your dear friend

Or ached to hold your own little one while it went to sleep in your arms, inhaling the unmistakable, sweet scent of baby, snuggled warm against your chest.

For the women who dreamed of being a mommy from the time they were lilttle and the years have made a mockery of the tender desires of your heart.

And especially for those for whom there is no one to hold you while your tears stream down your face, wailing the deep anguish of your heart.

If you have been wearied or felt judged by people who have minimized your pain or wondered if anyone could possibly understand

know that there was someone who did. He lived a very long time ago. He wrote this:

"The leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give!

There are three things that are never satisfied,

yes, four that do not say, It is enough:

Sheol (the place of the dead), the barren womb,

the earth that is not satisfied with water,

and the fire that says not, It is enough"

Proverbs 30:15-16 (AMPC)

I have often wondered about the writer of this proverb. How did he know the emptiness and sorrow of a woman"s heart who longs for children, but has none?

My hope for you, and my hope for me, is that we will know that the one who made our hearts to long for children, is also the one who sits with us as we weep.

May we know that He hears, He sees, He knows, and he cares. His heart is tender toward you and He is compassionate and gentle with those who grieve. He is moved by our tears and holds us, even when we cannot feel it.