Looking for Scripture...

that speaks especially to the sorrow of a first mother's loss of her child.

Ideas?

(Right now, I am using the story of Moses' mother putting him on the river as an example of a mother in a desperate situation finding a way to save her baby. But I'm looking for something that speaks more directly of the emotion of this crisis.)

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

Comments

[magicpointeshoe]

I put together a service last Oct for pregnancy and infant loss, while the scriptures used weren't specific to a certain type of loss, I think that the choices used spoke to me a mother of adoption loss. Let me find the link to where I reposted the service on my livejournal.

[magicpointeshoe]

http://magicpointeshoe.livejournal.com/255995.html

I was just realizing reading your post again that the first sentence is wanting stuff after placement, but the next sentence is wanting stuff related to pre-placement. There is a Psalm also that spoke to me after placement when I couldn't sleep at night that my Pastor pointed me to. I can't remember which one it was though off the top of my head.

[Alexandra]

This is tough. The only story that comes to mind (in an oblique way) is the story of Solomon and his attempt to determine which of two women was the true mother of a babe. Only the true mother was willing to give up her child to the other woman to prevent Solomon from killing and dividing the child into two pieces. I don't have time to do a search, but you can also try just looking for mother scripture verses that touch upon love, but not necessarily loss. If you find some, please post them. I know of several women you would receive comfort from such verses.

[Becca]

What about King Solomon and the two mothers who fight over the baby? Not sure it would work, but it jumped to mind.

[V's Herbie]

I can't think of any others off hand but here's some scattered thoughts. Hope they help!

There's strong chosen family themes in Ruth of course... The connection that Joseph still felt to his father and brothers after decades away speaks to the power of first family... This is a bit morbid, but Mary standing at the cross watching her son die over days speaks to the sorrow part, especially the whole transfering her to one of the disciples. Peter maybe? I don't remember offhand.

If you want to know more what I'm thinking with any of these feel free to e-mail me.

[Kate]

I don't have any good suggestions, but I did want to add that I get a bad adoption vibe from Solomon splitting the baby. The message that only the "real" (biological/first) mother would not want to hack the baby in two doesn't seem very comforting to a mother who has given up a child for adoption!

[sadie]

"Rachel weeping for her children who were no more?"

Might not be appropriate in context of the actual story but for some reason that sentence is what comes to mind after the Moses story.

[Alison]

What about Hannah giving Samuel over to the priests in the temple?

[Sally Big Woods]

How about the 23rd Psalm? I always turn to it in crisis.

I know I'm coming to this v. late, but I just found your blog. Love it!

Psalm 23
1: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.