This is one of the most honest and difficult topics we've ever addressed on the podcast being angry at God after the death of your child. If you've felt intense anger toward Him, or even found yourself hating God for taking your child, know that you're not alone.

You’ll also hear Laura share a deeply personal moment she had with the Lord, and reflect on how God may have chosen to bless our children in ways we don't understand yet but one day will.

I know we wanted to live out our lives here with them, but God, in His wisdom, His love, and His all-knowing power, decided to bless our child with a life of perfection before we get to experience it.

August's Reflections of Hope Devotional

If August is a difficult month for you, this devotional offers a short daily reading to help carry you through. Visit gpshope.org/reflections to learn more. You can also check out the full-year hardback edition.

New Merchandise: Pareavor with Hope Shirts & Hats

Wearing one of these items is more than just a fashion statement it's a symbol of your identity as a pareavor, someone choosing to walk with grief and hope.

If you would like to start receiving the Weekly Word of Hope email that Laura referred to, click here. Your email address is safe with GPS Hope, you will not get spammed, and you can unsubscribe any time.

We lovingly remember and celebrate the lives of:

Daniel Krawiec was born on July 28 and left us at age 32.

Easton Holden was born on July 28 and left us at age 39.

Joey Ray was born on July 28 and left us at age 26.

Dayne Sturm was born on July 29 and left us at age 21.

Lauren Miller Dobbins was born on July 30 and left us at age 33.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 307: I Am So Mad at God for Taking My Child appeared first on GPS Hope.

In this raw and heartfelt episode, Laura Diehl shares what it's like when the death of your child causes your life to come to a complete standstill while the rest of the world just keeps going. She opens up about deeply personal moments from her own grief journey, including the recent reminder of that paralyzing feeling when her father-in-law suddenly passed away and caregiving responsibilities took over her life once again.

Laura gently reminds grieving parents that even though life may feel stuck right now, healing is possible. She shares hope through Scripture, personal experience, and the powerful truth that this too shall pass. With compassion and authenticity, Laura speaks directly to pareavors who feel like they're frozen in time while everything around them keeps moving.

Pareavor with Hope Apparel Line

Reflections of Hope: August Edition

Tony Crane was born on July 23 and left us at age 20.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 306: When Life Stands Still After the Death of Your Child appeared first on GPS Hope.

Have you found yourself stuck in the endless questions of why after your child died? Why did this happen? Why my child? Why didn't God stop it? In this raw and tender episode, Laura gently explores what it means to live in that painful space between loss and healing where answers often never come, and closure feels like a betrayal.

Drawing from a powerful quote, You can get closure, or you can move on, but you can't have both , Laura speaks directly to grieving hearts. She reassures us that moving forward does not mean letting go of our child, but instead carrying their love with us into a life that can still have purpose, even without answers.

Through honest reflection and Scripture, you'll be reminded that:

Laura also prays a heartfelt prayer of comfort, peace, and a gentle nudge toward hope, even if it's just a flicker.

Whether you're barely breathing or beginning to take tiny steps, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that you are not alone and you can be a pareavor with hope.

New “Pareavor with Hope” Merchandise Line

Click here to see the full line of Pareavor with HOPE shirts, hoodies, ball caps and stocking hats.

Join us as we honor the precious children being remembered this week.

Jack Crean was born on July 16 and left us at age 18.

Hayden Beck was born on July 17 and left us at age 16.

Jimmy LaPlante was born on July 19 and left us at age 39.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 305: Waiting for Answers After Child Loss appeared first on GPS Hope.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Laura welcomes Lisa Espinoza to share the deeply personal story of losing her 25-year-old son, Chandler, after he was struck by a car and spent 18 days in the ICU before passing away on January 1st. Lisa opens up about the unique challenges of grieving during the holiday season, the lessons she's learned from past loss, and how she's choosing to walk through her grief with authenticity and faith.

Lisa shares how her earlier experience of losing her mother at just 18 years old shaped the way she grieved Chandler's death and what she did differently this time. She speaks candidly about the importance of not skipping over the pain, but also not getting stuck in it.

Laura reads a touching excerpt from Lisa's journal, now published in her book First Brush Your Teeth: Grief and Hope in Real Time, which reflects Lisa's resolve to trust God even in the heartbreak. 

Lisa's message is one of permission permission to feel, to fall apart, and to rebuild in time, one small step at a time.

Author and speaker Lisa Espinoza is a trusted companion to others along their journeys of grief. In her book First, Brush Your Teeth: Grief and Hope in Real Time, Lisa shares with raw honesty the story of losing her youngest son Chandler, reminding us that hope and joy are possible, even after the greatest heartache and loss.

Connect with Lisa and learn more at LisaEspinoza.com

Don't forget to give the podcast a rating and review to help other pareavors find the same hope you have found.

Charlie Rhodes was born on July 10 and left us at age 9.

Rachel Corn was born on July 10 and left us at age 22.

Eric Breslau was born on July 11 and left us at age 25.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 304: Getting Through the Grief of Child Loss, One Step at a Time (with Lisa Espinoza) appeared first on GPS Hope.

As the United States celebrates Independence Day with fireworks and festivities, grieving parents often feel out of place bound by pain instead of celebrating freedom. In this gentle and honest episode, Laura speaks to the heart of what freedom can look like after the loss of a child. It's not about moving on but about slowly learning how to live again.

Whether you’re skipping the celebrations, silently remembering your child, or simply trying to breathe today, this episode reminds you that your journey matters and you are not alone.

Be sure to click here to find out more about the Reflections of Hope book – both for a full year and the individual months (especially July and August).

Don't forget to give the podcast a rating and review to help other pareavors find the same hope you have found.

Find more support and resources at GPSHope.org

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 303: A Different Kind of Freedom for Grieving Parents appeared first on GPS Hope.

In today's episode, Laura talks with Kim Harms, who has lost both a mom and a son to suicide and also found herself widowed.  Even with all these losses, Kim has been able to learn how to live a life of meaning and purpose, and loves to encourage others that they can do the same. 

Dr. Kimberly Harms has been around the block in life. She has served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Public Health Service, a dental school professor, a grief counselor, a death doula, a civil mediator, a clinical dentist with her late husband Jim in Farmington MN, a school board Chair, President of an international women's organization, the first woman President of the Minnesota Dental Association, a National Spokesperson for the American Dental Association (21 years), an award-winning, best-selling author and international speaker on the topics of grief, conflict and legacy planning. She has also suffered many personal losses, including the deaths by suicide of her mother and son and the death by broken heart of her husband after their son's death. Her most important role now is mother to her two surviving children and grandmother to 6 precious grandchildren.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.) 

To connect with Kim: DrKimberlyHarms.com and RethinkingDeath.Life 

Click here to find out more about the Reflections of Hope: July Edition 

Cassie Martinez was born on June 22 and left us at age 19.

Lukas Christofferson was born on June 28 and left us at age 19.

Dominic Cardenus was born on June 28 and left us at age 24.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 302: Rediscovering Purpose After Child Loss (with Kim Harms) appeared first on GPS Hope.

In this compassionate episode of Grieving Parents Sharing Hope, Laura Diehl speaks directly to grieving parents who are silently battling guilt after the loss of their child especially when they wonder, Was this my fault? or even, Is God punishing me?

Drawing from personal emails, Scripture, and real-life stories, Laura offers insight into:

Whether you’re struggling with what your child did or didn't do or simply feeling crushed by the weight of what ifs, this episode is a lifeline of truth and grace.

Find out more about the 2026 Grief Cruise and/or the Renew and Remember Retreat here.

Click here  to request 10 Tips to Overcome Guilt.

Listen to the episode The Difference Between Regret and Guilt with guest Nancy Weil.

Kari-Lee Venning (Birrell) was born on June 19 and left us at age 25.

Cassie Martinez was born on June 20 and left us at age 19.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 301: Is God Punishing Me? appeared first on GPS Hope.

In today's episode you will be hearing from Laura's husband, Dave, along with a long-time friend, Matt Poelman, who lost his son, Eric, while serving in the military in Iraq. 

Some of the things discussed were:

Matt also shares what it is like, twenty years later, offering hope to those who are just starting this journey, closing in a prayer especially for the listeners who are fathers.

Matt Poelman has been a Christ-follower since his youth.  He was the 5th of 6 children whose family moved from the Netherlands to the state of Michigan.  Matt was born and raised in Michigan and the Chicago area.  

When volunteering at a mission aviation facility in North Carolina, Matt met his wife, Sally, and they were married in 1980. They became a Gold Star family in 2005 when their son, Eric, lost his life in the Army while deployed in Iraq.  

Matt has a twenty-six year aviation career in maintaining a variety of aircraft, and another twenty-one years as an instructor in avaiation maintenance. He has just retired from full-time teaching but continues with aviation for the FAA, testing graduate students to issue aircraft mechanic certificates.  Matt & Sally are enjoying their 5 grand-daughters and 2 grand-sons.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

Find out more about the 2026 Grief Cruise and/or the Renew and Remember Retreat here.

Click here to look at both the monthly and the yearly Reflections of Hope books.  

Tyler Harkness was born on June 8 and left us at age 26. 

Allie Custer was born on June 12 and left us at age 29.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 300: Two Dads Talk about Child Loss and Father's Day (with Matt Poelman) appeared first on GPS Hope.

Can we still trust God when we feel like He led us into such a dark place, allowing our child to be taken from us?

In today's episode, Laura takes a look at this question through the familiar verse of Psalm 23:2.

(Laura shared her thoughts on Psalm 23:1 in the previous two episodes 297 and 298.)

Note: Today's podcast episode, along with the other June episodes, are being

To find out more about the next GPS Hope retreat in New York this October click here.          

Click here to look at both the monthly and the yearly Reflections of Hope books.  

Ocean Yohannes Emru Campbell was born on June 7 and left us at age 23.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 299: Can I Trust God Leading Me? appeared first on GPS Hope.

Last week Laura started looking at Psalm 23:1-2 through the eyes of child loss. She only got through the first few words,  The Lord is my Shepherd

In this week's episode, she finishes out the verse which says, I shall not want. Listen in as Laura talks about how that may mean something different than what we have thought in the past.

To hear the podcast Laura referred to, with Kim Avery as a guest click here. 

To find out more about the next GPS Hope retreat in New York this October click here.          

Click here to look at both the monthly and the yearly Reflections of Hope books.  

Jessi Wilfong was born on May 26 and left us at age 20.

Jessi Castile was born on May 26 and left us at age 21.

Andrew LaPlante was born on May 27 and left us at age 24.

Nathan Jeremiah Lee was born on May 28 and left us at age 20.

Kyle Enanoria was born on May 30 and left us at age 11.

Mark (Markie) Sweitzer was born on May 30 and left us at age 29.

If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.

The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.

www.gpshope.org

To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected].

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.

It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

The post 298: Psalm 23:1 Through the Eyes of Child Loss appeared first on GPS Hope.