CLEAR LAKE, Iowa—Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church is turning one family’s sadness in the midst of infant loss into an opportunity to show love to others.
“It’s truly staggering how many families are affected by losing a long-waited for, much loved little one,” says Amy Reynolds of Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church. “As a church body we recently walked through this gut-wrenching experience with one of our families. We are still waiting and hoping that God’s will is accomplished and that He will continue to be glorified through little Simon’s life. We here have all been forever touched, encouraged, and humbled by watching Simon’s parents, Peter and Gina, try to function through their pain with an unearthly grace and peace—one that comes from God alone.”
This summer as Amy was visiting with Gina, she was crocheting a baby blanket. She explained the many things the local hospital had done for her to show love and caring in her time of loss. One item given to her was a beautiful white handmade blanket. That blanket wrapped Simon in sweet softness as his family members snuggled his perfect little body, took pictures, and tried to say good-bye. The gift of that blanket had meant so much to Gina that she was intent on making and donating blankets to the hospital to help other moms. However, she became frustrated by how much time it took to actually make blankets. She had hoped to end up with a big stack to deliver but realized that may not be realistic.
Out of that conversation came the idea for Blanket Night. Amy says, “It seemed an easy way to love and support Gina in her plan, and beyond that, to, as a group, share in the pain of so many other moms that have or will go through losing babies or having very sick little ones.”
So Amy and Gina made a plan. Their schedules allowed for the event to take place in October, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. They found an easy fleece tie blanket pattern online and made examples to have on hand. Ladies from all experience levels brought their own fabric and scissors, and everyone worked together to make the blankets. “We had a blast working together—and having snacks,” Amy says.
Over 20 ladies showed up. Other women wanted to be involved but weren’t able to attend, so many made blankets in advance and dropped them off at the church. The group’s blankets represented at least 10 women from the church who had been directly impacted by the pain of infant loss. Even years after their loss, the event touched their hearts because they saw the love and understanding that are available in the Body of Christ.
“We as a group of ladies were surprised and so encouraged by how many blankets were made,” Amy says. “As a result, there have already been many conversations about what we should do next. This was the start of a momentum we want to build on. We’re excited to find ways to touch our community and reach out with the hope we have in our Savior even in the hardest times of life!”
