While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss

This is a podcast FOR bereaved parents BY bereaved parents. Join your host, Jill Sullivan, as she talks with parents who have lost children of all ages to all types of circumstances. This is a podcast of stories ... stories of devastating loss and grief and heartbreak and struggle ... and stories of hope and healing and faith, and yes, even joy. Underlying every conversation will be the hope we have in Jesus Christ, which makes it possible to not just survive the loss of a child, but to live well while we're waiting to see them again in Heaven one day. Visit our website at www.WhileWereWaiting.org for more information about our nonprofit ministry to bereaved parents. 

  1. 285 | "GodPrints" in the Shattered Pieces (Part Two) with Jenny Leavitt

    5D AGO

    285 | "GodPrints" in the Shattered Pieces (Part Two) with Jenny Leavitt

    In Part Two of my conversation with Jenny Leavitt, we continue exploring the GodPrints—God’s gentle fingerprints of presence and faithfulness—woven through her family’s grief journey after the loss of her son, Jacob. Jenny shares how she and her husband learned to walk together through grief even when their personalities and coping styles differed. She talks about the emotional weight of anniversaries, holidays, and court dates, and how offering grace to one another became essential in those tender seasons. We discuss how Jenny’s grief has changed over the last ten years, including the seasons when God felt silent and the comfort she found in Scripture, especially in the Psalms. Jenny also offers practical wisdom for navigating holidays and special dates, as well as how her family chose to honor the ten-year mark of Jacob’s homegoing. She closes by pointing listeners to resources she’s created to support others who are grieving. In this episode: Grieving differently within a marriageThe challenge of anniversaries and milestonesHow grief evolves over timeFinding God in seasons of silenceNavigating holidays and special datesMarking ten years without JacobClick HERE to listen to the first half of our conversation!   Resources: jennyleavitt.comresilienthope.netGodPrints by Jenny LeavittI would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    32 min
  2. 284 | "Godprints" In the Shattered Pieces (Part One) with Jenny Leavitt

    DEC 3

    284 | "Godprints" In the Shattered Pieces (Part One) with Jenny Leavitt

    In this first half of a two-part conversation, I sit down with Jenny Leavitt — pastor’s wife, author of GodPrints, and bereaved mom — to hear the story of her son, Jacob, and the unmistakable “GodPrints” woven throughout her family’s journey. Jenny begins by describing her earlier battle with stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma while raising two very young boys, and how God used that season to prepare her heart in ways she wouldn’t fully understand until years later. She then introduces us to Jacob — a friendly, artistic, big-hearted high school senior — and recounts the tragic accident caused by a drunk driver that took Jacob’s life and left his older brother, Caleb, critically injured. Throughout the episode, Jenny speaks honestly about the physical, emotional, and spiritual shock of those early days, the challenge of grieving one child while caring for another, and the surprising places where God’s fingerprints began to appear. She shares about a profound “GodPrint” uncovered just days after Jacob’s death — a handwritten piece Jacob created months earlier that offered their family deep assurance of his salvation and his walk with the Lord. Jenny also offers compassionate, practical wisdom for newly bereaved parents: the importance of connection, the value of grace for yourself and others, and the reminder that you don’t have to walk this path alone. Links Mentioned: GodPrints: Finding Evidence of God in the Shattered Pieces of Life by Jenny LeavittJenny’s websiteResilient Hope resourcesBe sure to join us next week for Part Two, where Jenny reflects on how her grief has evolved over the last ten years, how she and her husband navigate grieving differently, and the GodPrints they continue to see in their story. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    31 min
  3. 283 | When God Holds the Thread (Part Two) with Debra Amick

    NOV 26

    283 | When God Holds the Thread (Part Two) with Debra Amick

    In this second half of my conversation with Debra Amick, we explore what life looked like after Chase went to Heaven and how God gently led her from deep grief toward renewed purpose. A meaningful part of this episode centers on four anchors God gave her in the fog of grief: Prayer support when she didn’t have strength of her ownScripture placed throughout her home to remind her of what was trueResting in God’s presence, allowing Him to meet her where words failedGuarding her heart, choosing carefully what she allowed in during fragile daysDebra also describes the slow journey toward purpose—giving herself permission to hope again, listening for God’s direction, and discovering how her story could help others move from pain to purpose. Debra talks about how she began writing online—originally intending to speak to midlife women, not realizing how many grieving hearts would find her words. She shares how God used her vulnerability to comfort others and how her faith became the steady thread she clung to as she learned to live again. Connect HERE to connect with Debra. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    33 min
  4. 282 | When God Holds the Thread (Part One) with Debra Amick

    NOV 19

    282 | When God Holds the Thread (Part One) with Debra Amick

    When God Holds the Thread: Chase’s Story In this first half of my conversation with Debra Amick, she shares the story of her son Chase—a talented artist, musician, and gentle soul whose life touched so many. Debra opens up about his early years, the emergence of mental-health struggles in his teens, and the intentional decision she and her husband made to stay closely connected to his heart. She also recounts the powerful moment when Chase returned to his faith in Jesus and the heartbreaking night he went to Heaven. Through it all, Debra describes the unmistakable ways God met their family with comfort and presence, even in the darkest places. If you’re walking through a story involving mental illness, trauma, or deep sorrow, I pray Debra’s honesty will remind you that you’re not alone—and that even when we feel like we’re hanging on by a thread, we find that it's God Himself who holds that thread. Next week in Part 2, Debra will share what happened after Chase went to Heaven, including how she began writing publicly and how God led her toward purpose in the midst of her pain. She’ll also talk about four very practical anchors that helped her navigate her grief with faith and hope. Click HERE to connect with Debra and see all the resources she has available on her website!  I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    30 min
  5. 281 | The Valley and the Shepherd with Meshea Ingram

    NOV 12

    281 | The Valley and the Shepherd with Meshea Ingram

    “Even in the darkest valley, the Shepherd is still good—and He never lets go.”  In this week’s episode, I talk with Meshea Ingram, a mom who has walked through the deepest valley imaginable and found her Shepherd faithful every step of the way. Meshea shares about her little boy, Briggs—a joyful child with an unforgettable laugh and a big personality that filled every room. In the summer of 2022, a tragic drowning incident changed everything. Meshea speaks honestly about the days she prayed for a miracle while Briggs was on life support, the disappointment that followed when God didn’t answer as she hoped, and the long process of learning to trust His goodness again. Out of their pain, Meshea and her husband founded Love Can Build a Briggs, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about drowning prevention and provides swim-lesson scholarships for young children. This episode is a beautiful reminder that even when our miracle looks different than we hoped and our hearts are breaking, the Shepherd is still leading us, His mercies are always new, and His faithfulness never fails. Connect with Meshea: Website: www.lovecanbuildabriggs.com Instagram: @shewhoprays Facebook: Love Can Build a Briggs I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    49 min
  6. 280 | We Are Held with Cheri Fletcher

    NOV 5

    280 | We Are Held with Cheri Fletcher

    “What if hope isn’t about holding on—but about being held?”  In today's episode, I had the privilege to sit down with Cheri Fletcher—a writer, speaker, and flash mob aficionado—who shares the story of her daughter Annie, a vibrant young woman whose life reflected creativity, compassion, and faith. Cheri opens up about the sudden medical crisis that took Annie’s life at just 29, the ache of surrendering to God’s will, and the unshakable truth that we are never left to simply “hang in there”—we are held by the God who goes before us. Drawing from passages like Deuteronomy 31:8 and Isaiah 41:10, she reminds us that even when life shatters, God’s presence remains steady and sure. We also talk about Cheri’s new project, the Grief Communication Cards, a set of thoughtful prompts designed to help grieving families and friends talk more openly about their loved ones. I'm planning to use these cards with my own family this holiday season as a way to remember and celebrate our daughter Hannah as well as others who have gone to Heaven in our family.  Use the code WAITING10 for 10% off your set!   This episode is a tender reminder that when we don’t have the strength to hold on, God is the One holding us—steady, present, and faithful. Resources Mentioned: Cheri Fletcher’s Website: cherifletcher.comGrief Communication Cards – use code WAITING10 for 10% offWhile We’re Waiting Facebook Group – Support for Bereaved ParentsI would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    43 min
  7. 279 | An Immeasurable Love with Cindy Shufflebarger

    OCT 29

    279 | An Immeasurable Love with Cindy Shufflebarger

    In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Cindy Shufflebarger, who shares the story of her daughter, Ashlynn Faith, and how God’s immeasurable love met her family in the midst of unimaginable loss. Diagnosed with Trisomy 18, Ashlynn lived for three precious days — days filled with both deep sorrow and sacred joy. Cindy reflects on those moments, the way her faith was reshaped through lament, and how journaling became a lifeline that led to her book Dancing in the Rain: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Storm. We also talk about the Shufflebarger’s beautiful ministry, P23 Retreat, which provides grieving parents with a private, prayer-covered space to rest and heal. Through this ministry, couples and singles are able to pause, reflect, and experience the peace of Psalm 23 in their own grief journeys. Here are some of the resources we mention in this episode: P23 Retreat Website: p23retreat.org — Learn more about how to request a retreat, donate a stay, or access the free downloadable resources available there.Free Downloadable Checklist for Grieving Parents — A simple tool to help you communicate your needs and boundaries to family and friends during grief. (Find it under “Resources” on the P23 website.)P23 Retreat on Social Media: Facebook    | Instagram    | LinkedIn My Messy Grief Podcast — Listen on Spotify or watch video episodes on YouTube Cindy’s Book: Dancing in the Rain: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Storm — A look at how God brings joy and growth even through the hardest seasons.My Messy Grief Journal — Available on Amazon; a creative, colorful guide filled with prompts and activities to help you process grief in practical, sensory ways.Cindy’s story is a powerful reminder that God’s love truly has no limits — even in our deepest pain. If this episode encouraged you, please share it! I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    51 min
  8. 278 | Marking Time With Hope

    OCT 22

    278 | Marking Time With Hope

    Today's episode is a little bit different than what you usually hear on the While We're Waiting podcast.  I've invited my husband Brad to join me to reflect on our daughter Hannah’s birthday. She would have turned 34 years old today—which means she’s now double the age she was when she went to Heaven at 17. That realization has hit us a little bit harder this year. As we’ve been reflecting, we found ourselves thinking about all that’s changed in the world over the past 17 years—as well as the things we’ve lost, the things we’ve gained, and how time has both softened and deepened parts of our grief. We want to invite you into that conversation with us as we remember our girl and talk about what it’s like to keep walking forward while still holding her memory close. If you’re facing a difficult day on the calendar, or maybe you’ve been thinking about all that’s changed since your child went to Heaven, we hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

    25 min
4.9
out of 5
193 Ratings

About

This is a podcast FOR bereaved parents BY bereaved parents. Join your host, Jill Sullivan, as she talks with parents who have lost children of all ages to all types of circumstances. This is a podcast of stories ... stories of devastating loss and grief and heartbreak and struggle ... and stories of hope and healing and faith, and yes, even joy. Underlying every conversation will be the hope we have in Jesus Christ, which makes it possible to not just survive the loss of a child, but to live well while we're waiting to see them again in Heaven one day. Visit our website at www.WhileWereWaiting.org for more information about our nonprofit ministry to bereaved parents. 

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