Michelle Duggar’s Miscarriage: A Message From God?
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tontitown, Arkansas often cite God (and not their obviously very active sex life) as the main reason they’ve been blessed enough to have an astonishing count of 19 children. Michelle sadly suffered a miscarriage yesterday of their 20th child due in April, but God’s work in this particularly sad event has yet to be mentioned.
“Earlier today at a routine doctor’s appointment, Michelle and I received the sad news that we lost the baby,” Jim Bob tells Us Weekly. “Michelle is resting comfortably at home with the support of the entire family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, but ask for privacy during this difficult time.
The Duggars are already parents to Joshua, 23 (who is married with two kids of his own), twins Jana and John-David, 21; Jill, 20; Jessa, 19; Jinger, 17; Joseph, 16; Josiah, 15; Joy-Anna, 14; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 12; Jason, 11; James, 10; Justin, 8; Jackson, 7; Johanna, 6; Jennifer, 4; and Jordyn, 3, and Josie, almost 2.
At 45 years old, Michelle has spent roughly half of her entire life pregnant. The birth of Josie, the Duggars’ 19th child who was born premature at 25 weeks, reportedly frightened the couple (“That experience was one of the scariest things we have ever walked through as a family. We thank God, and are grateful for the many prayers offered on Josie’s behalf. What a miracle she is,” Michelle wrote on her blog) but didn’t deter them trying for one more. it remains to be seen if they will try again for their 20th baby.
this is interesting. i was asked that question personally…do i think it’s God way of telling them ‘enough?’ this was my answer:
i think probably a lot of people might be pondering that. it’s normal for your mind to go there. and, maybe He is speaking to them in that way through this. who knows. but, personally, i think that’s for *them* to decide what God is saying to them, not anyone else. and, after they’ve said what they think God is saying to them, it’s our job to trust that they can hear God for themselves and support them in what they hear.
those are my thoughts anyway.
about the problems she’s had, they are not specific to age or too many babies. preeclampsia is a problem that anyone can have…a 20 year old pregnant for the 1st time for instance. it’s more related to diet than anything else and can be prevented (and even cured sometimes) with diet…although this is not popular opinion…most people say it’s a random occurrence, but that’s a whole other issue. her preeclampsia was also coupled with gall bladder problems and that also could happen to anyone…a young mother pregnant with her first child. or someone who’s not even pregnant for that matter. miscarriage…well, we all know that that really is random and all up to God. He gives and He takes away. i think she’s had another miscarriage…when she was young and on her 2nd pregnancy i believe. i’m so sad for them, but very glad and at peace that although grieving, they trust in Him.
so yeah…although i am not called (at this time anyway) specifically to not ever prevent pregnancy, i really honor the ones who feel they are. and who knows what God is saying to them through this. *maybe* He’s saying that He will not give them any more children (although i kind of think He’d accomplish that by just not giving them anymore, not through prevention by them of any sort). or maybe He wants to teach them different things through this. the way lots of people are reacting to this, maybe He wants to teach them to persevere with the things that He’s asked them to do, even in the midst of persecution, and even when it seems impossible and too hard. it would be ‘easier,’ after all, for them not to ‘take the chance’ of pregnancies anymore. but, maybe that’s not what God is asking them to do. bottom line for me: it’s not for me to decide. and i trust them and honor them with what they feel God is saying to them personally. and, i’m definitely praying for them. so so so sad.
The only message from God in this is that we live in a fallen world where death stalks everyone from the moment of conception onward. Born or unborn, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. The Duggars are very blessed to have had only two miscarriages out of 21 pregnancies. Some women continually struggle with miscarriages.