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Jill Duggar Dillard Suffers Pregnancy Loss, Announces Stillbirth of First Daughter

Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derrick Dillard are grieving this week after suffering a heartbreaking pregnancy loss. The couple announced Saturday the stillbirth of their daughter, Isla Marie Dillard.

Stranger Takes Photo of Family at Disney—Then He Promises He’s Not “Creepy” & Makes 1 Heartbreaking Request

"Several minutes later the same man who had just taken our picture walked up to us, in tears, and asked if we had a moment. He promised he wasn't creepy and introduced himself as Scott and his wife as Sally."

Beyond ‘Sorry for Your Loss’: 14 Meaningful Ways to Express Condolences

Explore heartfelt and unique ways to say 'sorry for your loss' with our guide. Learn how to offer condolences that truly resonate, including personalized expressions of sympathy and thoughtful gestures to support those grieving.

I Kissed My Tired Husband as He Left for Work — When I Later Saw His Text, it Hit Me

The other morning I sat on the couch trying to squeeze in, yet savor, my morning mug of coffee before my daily priorities called me from the cup. As a mother of three children under five years of age with a busy husband, I had a lot on my plate, and it was almost always on my mind how important taking good care of my kids was to the kingdom. It was a ministry calling, of sorts, but it wasn’t the most important one.

I remember when I was in my early 20s and returned from the mission field, I felt led to go into the profession of nursing rather than pursue the life of a foreign-field missionary like many of my friends had done. Like Paul, I knew I could be a tentmaker of sorts, and I knew the Lord could use me in that career to touch the lives of so many. In fact, to this day, every time I go to work I pray to hear God’s voice, to be His light and to minister to those I come in contact with, even if it’s simply by giving a bed bath. But nursing isn’t my top ministry calling.

In my spare time I sell skincare with Rodan + Fields. I have a large, growing team of people that I work to mentor and inspire. I even consider this aspect of my life a place where I might share the love of Christ, but it’s not my top ministry.

I often write blogs that I hope will inspire others. I feel led to share my feelings, and to put down in my posts how God is working in me. I’ve even had a lot of people around the world tell me that my words helped them, but this is not my main ministry either.

In fact, I wear many hats, but there is one that I consider most important. The other morning as I sat gulping my coffee, I watched my weary husband head out the door. That man was a hard worker, no doubt. He not only worked long hours running his own business, but he also put in a huge effort toward helping me with the children when he was home. So as he left for work I kissed him goodbye. I had given him an extra long hug while whispering “have a good day,” but my heart still ached for him as he went out the door. I desired to take some of his burdens, even though I knew I could not.

I got busy with the children shortly after he left, but even later I found him coming to my mind. I thought to myself I should send him a text, just to let him know I’m thinking of him, and it was at that moment I felt the Lord very strongly impress these words upon me.

Your husband is your top ministry calling. 

And I realized it was true. Of all the many aspects of my life I loved, he was the most important to me. God had placed us together, and my job as a wife was to love, honor, and build up my spouse. At that very moment, I thanked the Lord for my husband, and then I prayed for him and his day.

Brie Gowen
Brie Gowenhttp://briegowen.com/
Brie Gowen is a 30-something (sliding ever closer to 40-something) wife and mother. When she’s not loving on her hubby, chasing after the toddler or playing princess with her four-year-old, she enjoys cooking, reading and writing down her thoughts to share with others. Brie is also a huge lover of Jesus. She finds immense joy in the peace a relationship with her Savior provides, and she might just tell you about it sometime. She’d love for you to check out her blog at BrieGowen.com.

Jill Duggar Dillard Suffers Pregnancy Loss, Announces Stillbirth of First Daughter

Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derrick Dillard are grieving this week after suffering a heartbreaking pregnancy loss. The couple announced Saturday the stillbirth of their daughter, Isla Marie Dillard.

Stranger Takes Photo of Family at Disney—Then He Promises He’s Not “Creepy” & Makes 1 Heartbreaking Request

"Several minutes later the same man who had just taken our picture walked up to us, in tears, and asked if we had a moment. He promised he wasn't creepy and introduced himself as Scott and his wife as Sally."

Beyond ‘Sorry for Your Loss’: 14 Meaningful Ways to Express Condolences

Explore heartfelt and unique ways to say 'sorry for your loss' with our guide. Learn how to offer condolences that truly resonate, including personalized expressions of sympathy and thoughtful gestures to support those grieving.