“Lament is God’s invitation to be honest: you do not need to silence your questions for the sake of sounding more spiritual. The Lord commends your protests as faithful participation in a fractured world.” - Clint Watkins, Just Be Honest: How to Worship through Tears and Pray without Pretending

What would it look like to pour out an honest lament before God? Why do we so often feel the need to hide our frustration from Him and others? In this episode, Kristin Hernandez is joined by Clint Watkins, Hope Dad and author of Just Be Honest, to explore the concepts of lament, biblical grief, and being honest with God. Clint shares the story of his hope babies, Eli and Rowe, and the deep grief he experienced as both a husband and a father. We talk about scriptural examples of lament, the importance of bringing our pain to God, and the difference between groaning and grumbling. 

Clint Watkins is a missionary to college students serving with DiscipleMakers, a campus ministry based in Pennsylvania. Having suffered the devastating loss of two babies, he writes to help fellow sufferers find hope through the gospel and being honest with the Lord. He lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife Jillian and their third child, Conley. 

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Monthly Memory Verse:

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8

Sponsorship

This episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast is sponsored by Kate Davis: in loving memory of our hope baby, Maude Clement Davis. 

If you’d like to sponsor an episode in honor of your Hope Baby, or on behalf of a Hope Mommy you know, visit hopemommies.org.

The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast. This is the first in a series of surprise bonus episodes highlighting articles from the Hope Mommies Blog. This first bonus episode is a companion to Episode 4: Grace for Hurtful Words and includes the following blog posts read aloud in an audio format:

Discussions in Grief: Forgiving Others by Brittnie Blackburn

I Wish You Knew: What Really Helps by Lindsey Dennis

I Wish You Knew: Don’t Stay Away by Megan Kelley

Grace for Community by Meg Walker

I Wish You Knew: I See Your Care for Me by Lianna Davis

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Episode Transcript

The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative.

The well-intentioned words of friends and family can sound more painful than comforting when you are grieving. How should we respond when others try to encourage, but the words sting? What does scripture say about our own responsibility as Hope Moms? 

In this episode, Kristin Hernandez is joined by Jennie Parks, Hope Mommies’ Director, and Brooke Schuelke, Chapters Coordinator, to discuss ways to encourage a bereaved parent and how we can respond with grace when others unintentionally hurt us. We discuss strategies for gently educating others, the importance of forgiveness, and the perfect example we have in Jesus Christ. 

Whether you are a Hope Mom or someone who loves a Hope Mom, we invite you to join us as we discuss common but often hurtful comforting phrases and highlight the importance of grace and empathy. 

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Episode Transcript

Monthly Memory Verse:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 

Sponsorship

This episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast is sponsored by The Reeves Family in honor of their precious hope babies, Christopher, Joey, Josie, and Raine.

“In honor of our 4 little ones that we got to hold but not take home. Mommy and daddy will hold you in our hearts until we can hold you in heaven.”

 If you’d like to sponsor an episode in honor of your Hope Baby, or on behalf of a Hope Mommy you know, visit hopemommies.org.

The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative.

Hope Mommies’ Founder Erin Cushman reflects on God’s unchanging character and love, as she shares how God carried her and her husband through the death of their firstborn daughter, Gwendolyn. Erin also shares the origin story of Hope Mommies and how she was encouraged to use a platform she never would have chosen to minister to grieving mothers and to point others to the hope of Christ. 

Erin is a wife, author, homeschooling mama, and ministry partner. She has been married to her husband Blair for 15 years. They founded the ministry of Hope Mommies in 2011 following the death of their firstborn daughter, Gwendolyn. Erin is also a Hope Mom to Baby C who was miscarried in 2017. She has 3 living children that she has the joy to parent and is the author of Bright Hope and Anchored. She holds a Biblical Counseling certification from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through her writing and speaking, she encourages others to lean into the goodness of God and the trustworthy comfort that can be found in His Word, with His people, and by His Spirit. 

The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative. 

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Bright Hope by Erin Cushman

Anchored by Erin Cushman

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Monthly Memory Verse:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

Sponsorship:

This episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast is sponsored by Clint and Brooke Schuelke in honor of their daughter Blair Nicole. Clint and Brooke write, “We are so thankful for your life and the hope of Jesus that we’ve been able to share with others because of it! We are proud to be your parents, and cant wait until we see you in glory someday.”  If you'd like to sponsor an episode in honor of your Hope Baby or on behalf of a Hope Mom you know, visit hopemommies.org.

"There truly is such an endurance that emerges from the sorrows that we survive with our devotion to Jesus intact. And I pray that I never ever forget that because it's how we survive the sorrow in the first place. He truly is our survival in the sorrow."

-Jennie Parks

In this episode, we’re joined by Jennie Parks, Executive Director at Hope Mommies. Jennie shares her personal story of losing her daughter, Paige, and how this heartbreaking experience deepened her relationship with God and led her to this ministry. We chat about what Hope Mommies does and why it all matters.  Jennie also highlights the programs, resources, and support groups available through Hope Mommies and how you can get connected. 

The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative. 

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Hope Mommies

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Monthly Memory Verse:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 

Sponsorship:

This episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast is sponsored by Jennie Parks in honor of her daughter Paige Parks. Jennie writes, “I love you dearly and my arms still ache to hold you, but I know our best days are yet to come, my girl!” If you’d like to sponsor an episode in honor of your Hope Baby, or on behalf of a Hope Mommy you know, visit hopemommies.org.

What is hope? It is wishful thinking or it is something more? In the first episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast, host Kristin Hernandez shares her story and explores the concept of biblical hope. 

Whether your loss happened when your child was in infancy or before you ever had the chance to hear their precious heartbeat, your baby's life matters and we invite you to join us as we explore topics related to sorrow and faith, and finding hope in the midst of heartbreak

The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative. 

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Episode Transcript

HopeMommies.org

Sunlight in December

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Monthly Memory Verse:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 

Sponsor:

This episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast is sponsored by the Hope Mommies Leadership Team in honor of the mamas in our community and each of their precious babies. If you'd like to sponsor an episode in honor of your Hope Baby or on behalf of a Hope Mom you know, visit hopemommies.org.

Welcome to the Hope Mommies Podcast! We are excited to share we are only one week away from our launch on all major podcast platforms. Here at Hope Mommies, our goal is to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to bereaved mothers and families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a baby. In each episode, we will navigate the complexities of grief and discover the transformative power of remaining anchored to the Hope of Jesus Christ. Listen to this podcast teaser for a sneak peek into what you'll hear in our first 3 episodes.

*Included clips are from Episodes 1-3 with Kristin Hernandez, Jennie Parks, and Erin Cushman. 

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Hope Mommies

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The Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. The music used is Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative.

Welcome to the Hope Mommies Podcast! Here at Hope Mommies our goal is to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to bereaved mothers and families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a baby. In each episode, we will navigate the complexities of grief and discover the transformative power of remaining anchored to the Hope of Jesus Christ. In Him, we find an unshakable hope that comforts, encourages, and helps us survive pregnancy and  infant loss. 

The Hope Mommies Podcast is officially launching on January 10, 2024 on all major podcast platforms. We’d love for you to take a moment to subscribe now so you never miss an episode. This way, when the podcast drops in January, all new episodes will automatically sync to your device for regularly encouragement and biblical truth related to sorrow, faith, and finding hope adid heartbreak. 

Hope Mommies Podcast is a ministry of Hope Mommies, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to bring bereaved families comfort, encouragement, and relational support as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter. For more information or to connect with our online community, visit hopemommies.org.

Podcast Music: Sparrow Song, courtesy of Katie Cobbs and Flourish Creative