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August 22, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

When “Why?” Becomes the Wrong Question After Child Loss

Horizontal banner with a clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds along the bottom. In the center, the title reads “When ‘Why?’ Becomes the Wrong Question After Child Loss.” The first line is in white text, and the words “After Child Loss” are highlighted in orange. Image relates to grieving parents seeking hope and guidance through pareavor support. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.After the death of our child, one of the first and most desperate questions we cry out to God is: Why?

Why did this happen to my child?
Why didn’t God stop it?
Why couldn’t I have done something differently, so they’d still be here?

If you’ve asked those questions, you are not alone. Every grieving parent knows the ache of wanting answers. I’ve been there too.

But here’s something I’ve learned on my own grief journey: the “why” question may not be the one that will actually help us heal. In fact, there’s another question we can ask God; one that He delights in answering that can open our hearts to His comfort, love, and even the possibility of hope after losing a child.

Wrestling With “Why” in Grief

Silhouette of a person standing on a dock at sunset, gazing across rippling water glowing with orange reflection. Overlaid text reads: “If you’re still in that place where you can barely breathe, just trying to make it through the next hour, please hear this: the ‘why’ may never be answered here. But the ‘how’ will.” The website gpshope.org appears at the bottom. Image offers encouragement for grieving parents facing child loss and seeking hope and healing. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

When you are grieving the loss of a child, “why” feels like the only thing that matters. We want an explanation that makes the pain make sense.

But most of the time, God doesn’t give us the “why” here on earth. And even if He did, I’m not sure it would feel like enough because it would not make sense in our intense pain and limited understanding from our finite minds. We would probably argue with Him on why His answer isn’t good enough.

At one of our GPS Hope & Healing retreats, I shared something from my book When Tragedy Strikes. I had once heard the phrase:

“Spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.”

My reaction was, “Well, losing a child is a pretty deep trial to wrap a blessing in!”

And in that moment, I felt God whisper to my heart: “I know… because My Son died. And it was wrapped in the blessing of you.”

That changed something inside me. It didn’t erase the pain, but it did make me determined to hold on to Him as tight as I could until I could start to see some of those blessing in my life, like Jacob did when wrestling the angel in Genesis 32. (Jacob refused to let go until the angel blessed him.)

It also began to shift my focus away from demanding “why” to being willing to ask something else.

Seeing God’s Bigger Picture

Blurry figure holding hands to their chest, symbolizing clinging to God in grief. Overlaid text reads: “I was determined to hold on to Him as tight as I could, like Jacob did when wrestling the angel, until I could start to see some of those blessing in my life.” The website gpshope.org is at the bottom. Graphic offers encouragement for grieving parents facing child loss, reminding them of faith, perseverance, and hope. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

Years before Becca died, when fresh out of college, it took a while for my husband, Dave, to get a local job in his career field. The only offer he got was from a nonprofit that paid very little. We seemed to be barely scraping by, with my working as a supervisor at a fast-food restaurant. 

But that job came with incredible medical insurance, which is something we did not know that we would desperately need when Becca was diagnosed with cancer at only three years old. Nine months of chemo. Having her little leg amputated. Hospital stays. Over $500,000 in medical bills (this was back in the late 1980’s) but we only had to pay about $1,000 of it.

But God saw the bigger picture. He knew we would need those medical expenses covered and already had the provision in place.  

A Better Question to Ask God After Child Loss

If “why” doesn’t help us, but leaves us spinning in our intense pain, what should we ask instead?

For me, it became the question “how?”

  • How are You going to get me through this?
  • How are You going to help me want to live again?
  • How could You possibly bring anything good from something so horrible?

And I’ve learned that God loves answering the “how” question.

It’s in the “how” that we experience His presence. It’s in the “how” that His love begins to seep into the cracks of our shattered heart.

God’s Power to Do the Impossible

Orange-toned sunset photo of a person standing on a hill with arms outstretched beneath wispy clouds. Overlaid text reads: “If ‘why’ doesn’t help us, but leaves us spinning in our intense pain, what should we ask instead? For me, it became the question ‘how?’ And I’ve learned that God loves answering the ‘how’ question.” The website gpshope.org is at the bottom. Graphic offers encouragement for grieving parents after child loss, pointing them to faith, hope, and God’s guidance. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ask or imagine.

Before Becca died, I thought of that verse in terms of happy surprises from God. Now, I see it as a deep promise to those of us in grief.

When you can only imagine darkness for the rest of your life, God can imagine something else. He sees light, hope, purpose. Things you and I cannot see in the suffocating darkness of grief.

1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” I no longer see this being about a life of constant blessings. It’s about a God who is preparing something good, even for those of us who are in the deepest pit of grief.

Letting Go of “Why”

If you’re still in that place where you can barely breathe, just trying to make it through the next hour, please hear this: the “why” may never be answered here. But the “how” will.

Ask Him, “God, how are You going to bring life into this death I feel inside?” And then hang on, like Jacob did, saying, “I’m not letting go until You bless me.”

Because He will. And when He does, it won’t erase the loss, but it will bring life to you again. You may not feel like you want it now, but when you do, He will be waiting to answer your question of “how.” 


NOTE: This was partially taken from the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast episode 310. Click here to listen to the full discussion, or look for the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast on your favorite listening app.

If September is a rough month for you, and you need help taking the next step toward hope, GPS Hope offers Reflections of Hope: Daily Reading for Bereaved Parents – September Edition. It’s filled with daily encouragement and short readings designed to meet you right where you are. (There is a book for every month of the year for just those difficult months, or you can get the full year in one hardback book.) 

Click here to order your copy. www.gpshope.org/reflections

If you would like to join thousands of other bereaved parents receiving a weekly word of hope delivered to your inbox, let us know below.


Four award-winning grief support books by Laura Diehl for bereaved parents. Top-left: When Tragedy Strikes, black cover, subtitle “Rebuilding Your Life with Hope and Healing After the Death of Your Child,” with an Illumination Book Awards sticker. Top-right: Reflections of HOPE, ocean and sun cover, subtitle “Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents,” next to a wooden Illumination Book Award plaque (2024). Bottom-left: Hope for the Future, white cover with three lit candles, subtitle “An Advent Journey for Bereaved Parents,” with three gold Illumination Book Awards stickers. Bottom-right: My Grief Journey coloring book and journal, colorful intricate designs, with a Christian Book Award Winner sticker. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, LAURA DIEHL, has written several impactful books that provide comfort and guidance to those navigating the painful journey of child loss, after the death of her own daughter in 2011. Her most acclaimed work, When Tragedy Strikes: Rebuilding Your Life with Hope and Healing After the Death of Your Child, has received multiple accolades, including the 2017 Gold Medal Centauri Christian Book Award for Non-Fiction and a Silver Medal in the 2018 Illumination Awards. Several of her other books have won awards as well.

Podcast cover for “Grieving Parents Sharing Hope” with Laura Diehl, offering faith-based encouragement for grieving parents after child loss. Background shows a dramatic sunset over the ocean with a lighthouse on the right, symbolizing hope in darkness. Laura Diehl’s headshot is in the bottom left corner. A gold seal in the center reads “Winner, AmericanWritingAwards.com, Podcast of the Year 2025,” with a smaller version of the seal in the bottom right corner. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.In addition to her writing, Laura is an ordained minister and has an extensive background in international children’s ministry. She is a sought-after speaker and singer at grief conferences and churches, known for her compassionate approach and deep understanding of the grieving process, especially the unique loss of a child. Through her weekly award-winning podcast, her writings, and other resources provided by GPS Hope, Laura and her husband, Dave, continue to provide hope and healing to thousands of parents worldwide, helping them find light in the midst of profound loss and darkness.

For more information about Laura’s award-winning books go to gpshope.org/books.
To find out more about Laura Diehl and the ministry of Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) visit gpshope.org.

The link to Hope for the Future is an affiliate link, allowing part of the purchase price to go to GPS Hope. 

Filed Under: Expressions of Hope Tagged With: bereaved parents, bereaved parents awareness month, bereaved parents day, dreaming of your child's death, grief, grief and loss, grief anxiety, grieving parents, how to cope with the death of a child, how to deal with grief and loss of a loved one, how to deal with losing a son, how to handle grief at work and beyond, Laura Diehl, losing a daughter quotes, losing a daughter to death, loss of child, pareavor, prayer for bereaved parents, what to say on anniversary of child's death​

August 19, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

310: When “Why?” Can Become the Wrong Question After Child Loss

After the death of our child, one of the first—and most desperate—questions we ask God is “Why?”

Why my child?
Why didn’t You stop it?
Why couldn’t it have been different?

But what if “why” isn’t the question that will bring us to a place of healing? What if there’s another question that opens our hearts to God’s love and help in the middle of our pain?

In this episode, Laura shares her own journey from wrestling with “why” to discovering a far better question—one that God actually delights in answering. You’ll hear personal stories, scriptural encouragement, and an invitation to shift your focus toward hope and restoration.

Whether you’re in the raw early days of loss or years down the road, this conversation can help you take one small step out of the darkness and into God’s loving presence.

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Get a word of hope from Laura delivered to your inbox once a week by signing up here. (You can easily unsubscribe any time you no longer want to receive it.) Subscribe Here.

Don’t forget to check out the GPS Hope & Healing retreat here.

Want to join us for a weekend in Cocoa Beach, Florida for the Renew and Remember Retreat? How about joining Dave and Laura and other pareavors on a 4-night cruise, with one day at sea dedicated to a grief seminar? You can find out more about both of these here.

Birthdays:

We lovingly remember and celebrate the lives of:

Jadyn Philipps was born on August 17 and left us at age 18.

Keaton was born on August 18 and left us at age 23.

Natalie Rodriguez was born on August 19 and left us at age 36.

Kevin Zick was born on August 21 and left us at age 33.

Hope Katherine was born on August 21 and left us at age 19.

Destine Wood was born on August 21 and left us at age 40.

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.

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

The GPS Hope logo featuring a sunrise rising over soft clouds and a teardrop-shaped emblem, symbolizing faith-based support and healing. It represents national grieving parent support after child loss, emphasizing community and hope through gpshope.org

www.gpshope.org

The GPS Hope Mobile parked and ready for outreach—a 420-square-foot motorhome used as a national grief support ministry for grieving parents. This image marks the one-year anniversary of GPS Hope becoming fully mobile, offering hope, comfort, and faith-based resources to pareavors across the country after child loss. Image includes gpshope.org, representing a journey of healing and support on wheels.To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

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.

August 15, 2025 by Laura Diehl 2 Comments

Losing a Disabled Child: Finding Hope After a Lifetime of Care

Blurry, shadowed photo of two empty wheelchairs in the background. Overlaid text reads: “Losing a Disabled Child:” in white and “Finding Hope After a Lifetime of Care” in orange. This image represents the grief of bereaved parents and the journey of finding hope after caring for a disabled child. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

I recently sat down with two courageous mothers—Deborah and Marie—who both cared for medically fragile children from their birth, until their final breath. Our conversation was filled with tender memories, raw honesty, and the unique realities of parenting a child whose life is both beautiful and fragile.

A Celebration Worth Every Moment

Blurry close-up of an adult’s hand holding a young child’s hand. The child has long brown hair and is wearing a pinkish-white fuzzy sweater. Overlaid in dark grey text is the quote: “There are many unique realities of parenting a child whose life is both beautiful and fragile, as well as navigating through the grief of their death.” The website "gpshope.org" appears at the bottom center. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

Deborah shared the incredible story of her daughter Aria’s quinceañera—a 15th birthday celebration in Mexican culture that marks the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Planning began a year in advance, always with the understanding that Aria’s health could change quickly.

They constantly reminded her, “You don’t have to do this.” But Aria’s response was always clear: “Why wouldn’t I want to? This is for me.” She chose her own dress, touching and feeling the fabrics since she was legally blind, and relished every detail.

Despite getting sick the week before, Aria woke up on the day of her party feeling better than she had in weeks. 

Deborah and her husband invited only those who had been a genuine part of Aria’s life—people who had made the intentional choice to be present around a child with disabilities. It became a beautiful, love-filled celebration.

A year later, Aria was gone. But that day remained a treasured memory of one last, grand moment to show her just how loved she was.

Photo of a dark, foggy road illuminated by dim streetlights. Overlaid quote reads: “Many of us find ourselves in a spiritual fog. Even a lifelong Christian can struggle to hear God’s voice the way they used to after the death of their child.” The website gpshope.org is at the bottom. This image offers faith-based encouragement for grieving parents navigating spiritual struggles after child loss. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.Maxx’s Everyday Joy

Marie described her son Maxx as the “boss of the house,” always smiling and laughing. He could wave, say a few words, and even invented his own sign for “mama.”

He loved Mickey Mouse, and if anyone blocked the TV during his show, he’d let them know he wasn’t happy. Meals often included his favorite—tomato soup with crackers, mashed up so they could share together.

Life with Maxx meant constant hospital visits and doctor’s appointments, but Marie accepted it: “As long as he’s alive, this is his life. I’m going to take care of him.”

Blurred image of a person standing in a field of tall grass with an overlaid quote: “Some good advice from one pareavor to another: You put your child first for so many years—put you first for once.” The website gpshope.org is displayed at the bottom. Encouragement for grieving parents to prioritize self-care after the death of their child. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.When the Caregiving Ends

I asked a question many caregivers are afraid to voice; when their child passes, do they feel any relief? And if so, do they feel guilty about it?

For Deborah, the relief wasn’t from the work of caregiving, but from knowing Aria was no longer suffering. In her last days, Deborah felt Aria may have been holding on for her and her husband. “We told her, ‘It’s okay. Mom and dad will be fine. If it’s time to go, go.’”

The harder guilt came later, when the ache of missing her made Deborah wish she could have her back, even if it meant she’d still be sick.

Marie’s experience was different—there was no relief. Caring for Maxx had been her normal for nine years. But she has wrestled deeply with anger at God for taking him, a feeling that has softened but never fully left.

Faith in the Aftermath

After Aria’s death, Deborah found herself in a spiritual fog. A lifelong Christian, she struggled to hear God’s voice the way she used to. “Everything is different now, even our relationship with the Lord.”

Marie admits her relationship with God has been strained. Early on, she told me plainly, “I hate God for taking my son.” Over time, she says that anger has moved to the back of her mind, but it hasn’t disappeared.

Words for Other Parents

Both women stressed one thing above all: take care of yourself.

Marie ignored her own health after Maxx’s death and ended up in the hospital with “brokenhearted syndrome” just a month later. Her advice: “You put your child first for so many years—put you first for once.” Counseling, she says, was essential.

Deborah echoed that sentiment. Neglecting her health during Aria’s life caught up to her quickly after her passing, leading to serious medical issues. She also reminded parents to acknowledge all the losses—your child, your identity, your purpose, and even the medical and educational communities you were part of.

A Shared Journey

As we wrapped up, I thanked Deborah and Marie for being willing to speak with such honesty about the joy, the anger, the grief, and the enduring love for their children.

Some parts of their stories were the same, others were very different—but that’s the truth of grief. No two journeys look alike. And yet, by sharing Aria and Maxx with us, they remind every grieving parent that they are not alone.


NOTE: This was partially taken from the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast episode 309. Click here to listen to the full discussion, or look for the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast on your favorite listening app.

Don’t forget to take a look at our “Pareavor with Hope” shirts and hats, featuring a heart that’s been broken and put back together. It’s more than just apparel—it’s a sacred reminder: we are pareavors, and we carry our grief with hope. Visit gpshope.org/store to see the full line.

If you would like to join thousands of other bereaved parents receiving a weekly word of hope delivered to your inbox, let us know below.


Four award-winning grief support books by Laura Diehl for bereaved parents. Top-left: When Tragedy Strikes, black cover, subtitle “Rebuilding Your Life with Hope and Healing After the Death of Your Child,” with an Illumination Book Awards sticker. Top-right: Reflections of HOPE, ocean and sun cover, subtitle “Daily Readings for Bereaved Parents,” next to a wooden Illumination Book Award plaque (2024). Bottom-left: Hope for the Future, white cover with three lit candles, subtitle “An Advent Journey for Bereaved Parents,” with three gold Illumination Book Awards stickers. Bottom-right: My Grief Journey coloring book and journal, colorful intricate designs, with a Christian Book Award Winner sticker. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, LAURA DIEHL, has written several impactful books that provide comfort and guidance to those navigating the painful journey of child loss, after the death of her own daughter in 2011. Her most acclaimed work, When Tragedy Strikes: Rebuilding Your Life with Hope and Healing After the Death of Your Child, has received multiple accolades, including the 2017 Gold Medal Centauri Christian Book Award for Non-Fiction and a Silver Medal in the 2018 Illumination Awards. Several of her other books have won awards as well.

Podcast cover for “Grieving Parents Sharing Hope” with Laura Diehl, offering faith-based encouragement for grieving parents after child loss. Background shows a dramatic sunset over the ocean with a lighthouse on the right, symbolizing hope in darkness. Laura Diehl’s headshot is in the bottom left corner. A gold seal in the center reads “Winner, AmericanWritingAwards.com, Podcast of the Year 2025,” with a smaller version of the seal in the bottom right corner. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.In addition to her writing, Laura is an ordained minister and has an extensive background in international children’s ministry. She is a sought-after speaker and singer at grief conferences and churches, known for her compassionate approach and deep understanding of the grieving process, especially the unique loss of a child. Through her weekly award-winning podcast, her writings, and other resources provided by GPS Hope, Laura and her husband, Dave, continue to provide hope and healing to thousands of parents worldwide, helping them find light in the midst of profound loss and darkness.

For more information about Laura’s award-winning books go to gpshope.org/books.
To find out more about Laura Diehl and the ministry of Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) visit gpshope.org.

The link to Hope for the Future is an affiliate link, allowing part of the purchase price to go to GPS Hope. 

Filed Under: Expressions of Hope Tagged With: bereaved parents, bereaved parents awareness month, bereaved parents day, dreaming of your child's death, grief, grief and loss, grief anxiety, grieving parents, how to cope with the death of a child, how to deal with grief and loss of a loved one, how to deal with losing a son, how to handle grief at work and beyond, Laura Diehl, losing a daughter quotes, losing a daughter to death, loss of child, pareavor, prayer for bereaved parents, what to say on anniversary of child's death​

August 12, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

309: Losing a Disabled Child: Finding Hope After a Lifetime of Care

This episode is not just for parents who have lost a child, but for anyone who questions how a severely disabled child can have a life worth living. 

What you are about to listen to is raw and real. Two moms who had children with severe disabilities from premature births share their child’s story and their journey from birth through the death. The deep and fierce love they had, and still have, for their child is strongly evident, especially when discussing their child’s departure and how much they miss their child and the joy their child brought into their life and the life of others around them. 

The advice they give to others at the end of their time with Laura is heartfelt and priceless.

Thank you, Deborah and Marie for being willing to open up to us, for being so vulnerable, (including how your child’s death affected your relationship with God), and for sharing the blessing of Aria and Maxx with us. We honor you both for how well you loved and served your child.

What you will hear:

3:20 Deborah shares about Aria

11:43 Marie shares about Maxx

20:10 Deborah and Marie share some of the fun memories Maxx and Aria

28:10 Both moms answer Laura’s question if there was any relief at being a caregiver, and if so, did they feel guilty for feeling that way?

32:34 How did their child’s death affect their relationship with the Lord?

41:00 Marie and Deborah give final thoughts and words of wisdom to anyone who has lost a child, especially those who have been a full-time caregiver of that child for any length of time.

53:58 Marie and Deborah share about their experience at a GPS Hope & Healing Retreat

59:59 Birthday segment

1:01:20 Laura’s final thoughts

A close-up, joyful selfie of grieving mother Deborah with her late daughter, Aria Magdalena, both smiling brightly. Aria, wearing glasses, was born prematurely at 25 weeks and lived with multiple medical challenges before passing away in 2019 at age fifteen from respiratory complications. Deborah, now a bereaved parent and advocate for children with disabilities, works as a special education support aide in a Houston-area school district. A loving tribute reflecting child loss, grief support, and the hope found through GPS Hope - Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.Deborah is the mother of Aria Magdalena whom she lost at age fifteen in 2019, due to respiratory complications related to life-long multiple medical fragilities and complexities. Deborah worked in customer service prior to Aria’s birth and stayed home to raise and care for Aria after her premature birth at 25 weeks. As she learned to navigate healthcare and social program systems to better Aria’s quantity and quality of life, Deborah developed a passion for advocating for the rights of people living with disabilities, including formal training in policy making and working with policy makers in this area of need in Texas.

Deborah works full time as a high school special education support facilitation aide in a Houston area school district near her home she shares with her husband, Salvador, and dog named Lenore. When not at work Deborah enjoys reading books, serving at her home church and the local orphan care ministry Kingdom Care as well as spending quality time with family and friends

A smiling mother, Marie Jackson, lies in a hospital bed beside her young son, Maxx, who is also smiling while connected to a nasal cannula and medical tubing. Marie, a Montessori school teacher and devoted mother of three, faced the heartbreaking child loss of Maxx, who was born with significant medical challenges and passed away at age nine in 2016 from a brain hemorrhage. His organ donation saved three other lives, offering hope in grief. Marie lives in Janesville, Wisconsin, with her two daughters and their cat, and is an active member of a GPS Hope Share & Care group. GPS Hope - Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.Marie Jackson is a dedicated Montessori school teacher who has also balanced multiple part-time jobs over the years. She is the proud mother of three children-two daughters and her son, Maxx, who was born on Christmas Day, 2006. Maxx faced significant medical challenges from birth and was completely dependent on Marie’s care. On May 27, 2016, at just nine years old, Maxx passed away unexpectedly in his sleep due to a massive brain hemorrhage. Marie found comfort in knowing that Maxx saved three lives through the donation of his liver and both kidneys. 

Marie lives in Janesville, Wisconsin, with her two daughters and their black cat, Isis. She has been a faithful member of the local GPS Hope Share & Care group for nearly nine years. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking and spending time with family and friends.

Note: Today’s podcast episode is sponsored by Chris and ReNae Trebelhorn, in loving memory of their son, Aaron Treblehorn.

 

 

Links Mentioned in this episode:

 GPS Hope & Healing Retreat (Oct in New York)

Join us for a weekend getaway with others who truly understand the pain of child loss. Find healing, laughter, connection, and encouragement for both grieving moms and dads.
📍 Details and registration: gpshope.org/retreat

📩 Want to host a retreat in your area? Email us at office@gpshope.org

If October in New York doesn’t work for you, check out The Grief Cruise and Renew and Remember 2 night pre-cruise retreat, happening in February 2026 here. 

Sponsor a podcast in loving memory of your child

You get to pick the week, and Laura will read your loving tribute for your child, so the listeners can know your son or daughter. Click here to sign up to sponsor an episode.

Birthdays:

We lovingly remember and celebrate the lives of:

Christopher Hotch was born on August 10 and left us at age 31.

Aaron Trebelhorn was born on August 16 and left us at age 21.

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.

Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!

The GPS Hope logo featuring a sunrise rising over soft clouds and a teardrop-shaped emblem, symbolizing faith-based support and healing. It represents national grieving parent support after child loss, emphasizing community and hope through gpshope.org

www.gpshope.org

The GPS Hope Mobile parked and ready for outreach—a 420-square-foot motorhome used as a national grief support ministry for grieving parents. This image marks the one-year anniversary of GPS Hope becoming fully mobile, offering hope, comfort, and faith-based resources to pareavors across the country after child loss. Image includes gpshope.org, representing a journey of healing and support on wheels.To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.

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.

August 8, 2025 by Laura Diehl Leave a Comment

Our Relationship with God After Child Loss: Moving From Transactional to Intimate

A calming banner features a clear blue sky with soft clouds and a flock of birds flying in the distance. The centered text reads: "Our Relationship with God After Child Loss: Moving From Transactional to Intimate," with the second line in orange for emphasis. This image is designed to encourage grieving parents to explore a deeper, more intimate spiritual journey after the death of their child, moving beyond expectations of quick answers toward heartfelt connection with God. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.Last week, I shared about being angry with God for not saving our child from death, and I ended by talking about the difference between a transactional relationship with God and one that’s deeply intimate, rooted in trust, even in the confusion and pain.

This week, I want to take that further. How do we move from a transactional relationship with God to one that’s truly relational?

A peaceful sunset over a lake or ocean, with a person in silhouette sitting quietly at the edge of a dock. White overlay text reflects on spiritual impatience: “When it takes more than a few seconds for something to load, we get frustrated. We carry that same impatience into our relationship with God.” This image is a contemplative visual reminder for grieving parents to slow down, offering encouragement in their spiritual walk after child loss. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPE.We Expect Too Much, Too Fast

Let’s be honest. We’ve been trained by our culture to expect immediate results. 

But spiritual depth doesn’t come instantly. Our spiritual mothers and fathers knew how to wait on God. They learned to linger in His presence. Psalm 27 tells us to wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

When Dave and I were dating, he wanted to propose but kept hearing God say, “Wait.” He discovered that one meaning of “wait” in Scripture is “a carved work.” God wanted time to do a carved work in each of us before bringing us together. Isn’t that beautiful?

A textured image of light brown sand and scattered dark pebbles visually represents a faith shaken by child loss. The quote overlay speaks to grieving parents who once felt secure in their faith until the devastation of losing a child revealed a fragile foundation—like shifting sand. This poignant metaphor offers comfort and spiritual insight to pareavors navigating grief and loss. Faith, grief, and healing are central to the image's message of support and empathy. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPEA Culture That Undermines Trust

The internet has made us skeptical. Just when we think we’ve found answers, a new expert comes along to contradict them. And now, with AI, you can’t always tell what’s real anymore.

This constant noise makes it harder to trust, especially when we’re already struggling in grief.

But Jesus said unless we change and become like little children, we won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven; not heaven itself, but the Kingdom of heaven, which Romans 14:17 tells us is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Children aren’t cynical. When you tell a child you’re going to the zoo tomorrow, they don’t ask about traffic or weather. They get excited. That’s the kind of trust God wants from us.

From Transactional Faith to Transforming Intimacy

Many of us have built our lives on what we thought was faith, but when the storm hit—the death of our child—we realized it was more like shifting sand.

We go to church, read our Bibles, pray… but do we linger with God? Do we sit with Him, ask Him questions, and wait for answers?

A transactional relationship says, “I did my part, God. Why didn’t You do Yours?”

But He did do His part. He sent Jesus to remove the barrier between us. Now, it’s our part to move toward His outstretched arms and receive the intimacy He offers.

Ways to Connect with God on a Deeper Level

I want to share a few things that have personally helped me move into a more intimate relationship with God:

  • Write with Him: I write down a question and then wait. As soon as thoughts come—thoughts that are kind and not condemning—I write. Often, what comes out surprises me. It’s not something I would have thought of on my own.
  • Use Your Imagination: God gave us imagination for a reason. Instead of letting it spiral into worry or negativity, I picture myself in a peaceful place and invite Jesus into it. It may sound strange, but it becomes a sacred moment of comfort and connection.
  • Listen Through Creation, Music, Art, and Movies: A song lyric or line from a movie can carry God’s whisper. I’ve had Him speak to me through nature and moments of silence. I have a friend who makes collages, allowing God to speak and minister to her through the creative process.
  • Read the Bible Slowly: Don’t rush. When a verse tugs at your heart, stop. Sit with it. Read it again tomorrow. Let it go deep. It isn’t about how much you read. It is about how much of Him you take in as you read. 
  • Wait on God: This is where intimacy is formed. Let go of demands. Rest in His presence. He will meet you there.

Silhouette of a person holding a book stands against a soft golden sunset over a quiet field. The image offers a message of hope and encouragement to grieving parents, reminding them that spiritual depth and healing after child loss come through learning to wait in God's presence. A gentle grief support visual for pareavors seeking spiritual growth, comfort, and connection during their healing journey. GPS Hope – Grieving Parents Sharing HOPEIt’s Okay to Be Angry… But Don’t Stay There

You’re allowed to be angry with God. He can handle it. But don’t stay in that place. Don’t let your relationship remain stuck in a transaction: “I prayed. I served. You should have saved my child.”

That mindset robs you of the healing love that He wants to pour into your shattered heart.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” You can hear Him. You can know Him. You can trust Him, even when you don’t understand Him. And you can have a relationship with Him that goes beyond transactional and  is one of true intimacy. 

The relationship with our child is one of the most important relationships we will ever have. Even though our child’s tangible presence may not be here with us on earth anymore, the most important relationship you can have on this earth is still here for you. And it will never be taken away.

A Final Thought

Let me leave you with something I recently heard: God’s love isn’t transactional. It’s a gift.

I encourage us all to open ourselves to receive it.


NOTE: This was partially taken from the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast episode 308. Click here to listen to the full discussion, or look for the Grieving Parents Sharing Hope podcast on your favorite listening app.

Don’t forget to take a look at our “Pareavor with Hope” shirts and hats, featuring a heart that’s been broken and put back together. It’s more than just apparel—it’s a sacred reminder: we are pareavors, and we carry our grief with hope. Visit gpshope.org/store to see the full line.

If you would like to join thousands of other bereaved parents receiving a weekly word of hope delivered to your inbox, let us know below.


Award-winning grief support books by Laura Diehl, including “When Tragedy Strikes,” “Reflections of Hope,” and “Hope for the Future,” shown with Illumination Book Awards.

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, LAURA DIEHL, has written several impactful books that provide comfort and guidance to those navigating the painful journey of child loss, after the death of her own daughter in 2011. Her most acclaimed work, When Tragedy Strikes: Rebuilding Your Life with Hope and Healing After the Death of Your Child, has received multiple accolades, including the 2017 Gold Medal Centauri Christian Book Award for Non-Fiction and a Silver Medal in the 2018 Illumination Awards. Several of her other books have won awards as well.

In addition to her writing, Laura is an ordained minister and has an extensive background in international children’s ministry. She is a sought-after speaker and singer at grief conferences and churches, known for her compassionate approach and deep understanding of the grieving process, especially the unique loss of a child. Through her weekly award-winning podcast, her writings, and other resources provided by GPS Hope, Laura and her husband, Dave, continue to provide hope and healing to thousands of parents worldwide, helping them find light in the midst of profound loss and darkness.

For more information about Laura’s award-winning books go to gpshope.org/books.
To find out more about Laura Diehl and the ministry of Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) visit gpshope.org.

The link to Hope for the Future is an affiliate link, allowing part of the purchase price to go to GPS Hope. 

Filed Under: Expressions of Hope Tagged With: bereaved parents, bereaved parents awareness month, bereaved parents day, dreaming of your child's death, grief, grief and loss, grief anxiety, grieving parents, how to cope with the death of a child, how to deal with grief and loss of a loved one, how to deal with losing a son, how to handle grief at work and beyond, Laura Diehl, losing a daughter quotes, losing a daughter to death, loss of child, pareavor, prayer for bereaved parents, what to say on anniversary of child's death​

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  • Our Relationship with God After Child Loss: Moving From Transactional to Intimate
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