Our Hearts Are Home Podcast — Trusting God in Suffering

If you’ve walked very far down the road of child loss, you have discovered that your suffering has changed you in many ways. Suffering can draw us closer to the Lord, and if we let Him, He will mold and shape us through our suffering. What then? God can use our pain to help others. In this webinar, a panel of bereaved parents share what they have learned through their grief journeys and how they h...

On today's podcast, Greg and Cathy Buffkin share their journey of grief after the tragic loss of their son, Ryan. With transparency and words that resonate with every parent who has experienced loss, they offer hope in the midst of the pain. The conversation covers a variety of topics including suicide loss, many of the realities of grief, finding a counselor, spiritual insights learned throug...

In today's episode, we welcome Matthew Efird, author, podcaster, business executive, and Noah's dad. As he shares the story of Noah's life, Trisomy 13, and the subsequent journey of grief, Matthew offers some of the many insights that have impacted his life. He talks about anticipatory grief, the 57.5 hours of Noah's life, navigating grief, communication in marriage in the midst of...

In this episode, Todd and Melissa Shaffer share the story of their son, Tristan, and the journey they have walked since his unexpected death by suicide. As a homeschooling family of six, they cherished a close-knit home filled with love, joy, and deep family connections. Losing Tristan was a tragedy they never imagined they would face. With honesty and vulnerability, Todd and Melissa talk about th...

In today's episode, Jeff and Brianna Dickson share the story of their son, Landry, a vivacious six-month-old who brought laughter and joy to their family. One day Landry went down for a nap, and woke up in the presence of Jesus. The podcast conversation touches many of the deep questions that every bereaved parent asks. As Jeff and Brianna talk about their journey of grief, they also share spiritu...

In today's podcast, Dan and Ellie Perella share about their daughter, Maddy, and her home-going. As they talk about the journey of grief, they offer a tremendous amount of encouragement to those who are experiencing loss. They address many of the difficult questions that bereaved parents face, and offer wisdom gained through their own journey.

On today’s podcast, Adam Sacks joins us to share the story of losing his brother and best friend, David, and the profound journey of grief that followed. Adam reflects on the pain of sibling loss, the questions that surfaced in the midst of heartbreak, and the ways God met him through it all. As he shares his story, Adam offers encouragement for anyone walking through grief, reminding us that even...

In this episode, a panel of bereaved moms share their thoughts and insights about Mother’s Day. The purpose is two-fold. First, if you are not a bereaved mother, we hope you’ll glean helpful ideas of how you can minister to a grieving mother. It’s amazing how even a small act of kindness can be such a huge blessing to her during the most difficult time of her life. If you are a bereaved mother, we...

In today's podcast, Michael and Peggy Mages share their story of Mason's home-going and the subsequent journey of grief. As they discuss an array of topics, they offer insights gleaned through the difficult road of child loss. Can we still trust that God is good and that He loves us in the midst of unimaginable sorrow? How can we help our remaining children navigate such a profound loss? With hone...

Today we welcome to the podcast Pastor Daniel and Amy Jepsen. With honesty and transparency, they share the story of their son, Joe, and their grief journey after his passing. The thoughts they share are filled with insights and spiritual truths that are helpful to all who are grieving.

On today’s podcast, Vaneetha Risner shares her story of suffering and how God has met her in the midst of it all. Many people have been encouraged by her books, her podcast, Desperate for Hope, and her testimony. As she unfolds her life’s story, she speaks with honesty about the struggling and wrestling, and offers spiritual insights gained through a lifetime of suffering. Through polio, the loss...

In today's podcast, Josh and Nicole Kingsbury, Amber's parents, share their journey of grief. With honesty and transparency, they offer insights gleaned through suffering. They also talk about the process of wrestling with spiritual truths that bereaved parents experience, and how they found peace.

Today's podcast airs part two of a webinar presented earlier this year with Brad & Jill Sullivan, from the While We're Waiting ministry. Our goal was to provide encouragement to those who are new to the grief journey. When our loss is fresh, we often think that our deep pain will never end and wonder how we can make it. But as we discovered, that isn't what happens. We hope you&#39...

Today's podcast airs part one of a webinar presented earlier this year with Brad & Jill Sullivan, from the While We're Waiting ministry. Our goal was to provide encouragement to those who are new to the grief journey. When our loss is fresh, we often think that our deep pain will never end and wonder how we can make it. But as we discovered, that isn't what happens. We hope you&#39...

In today's podcast, Michael & Christina LaFleur share about their son, Ethan, and his sudden and unexplained death. As they discuss the circumstances surrounding his home-going and their subsequent grief journey, they offer insights they have learned that will resonate with those who have experienced loss. Discovering more about the character of God, they have found a new understanding of...

In today's podcast, Kelly Brockman, a bereaved father and grandfather, talks openly about some of the challenges of bereaved grandparents. He describes child loss as a "pain like no other," and grandparents are not only grieving their own loss, but watching their own child grieve that devastating loss. Do you know a bereaved grandparent? We hope you'll share this episode with the...

Have you lost a sibling or are you a bereaved parent who has children who are grieving? On the podcast today, Bobby and Gabby Bisterfeldt share their journeys of sibling loss. Unbelievably, both have lost two siblings. There are many unique challenges to the grief that accompanies sibling loss, and Bobby and Gabby offer suggestions for bereaved parents to support their remaining children, who are...

In today’s podcast, Rhyl Venning shares her journey of loss and hope after the home-going of her daughter, Kari-Lee. Born with cystic fibrosis, Kari experienced the physical challenges that come with the diagnosis, but lived each day to the fullest. She packed in a lifetime of learning, travel, and joy in her twenty-five years and deeply impacted those around her. With honesty and fresh spiritual...

In today's podcast, Tom and Heather Snyir introduce us to their daughter, Katie. After battling childhood cancer at the age of four, she enjoyed ten years of good health. Thinking that cancer was something in the past, it was a shock when Katie received the diagnosis of Stage Four Glioblastoma Multiforme at the age of sixteen. With transparency and insight, Tom and Heather share their journey...

In the blink of an eye, in one horrific accident, Jerry Sittser lost his wife, daughter, and mother. Raising his three remaining children as a single father for the next twenty years, Jerry discovered God's grace in a way he could have only imagined before encountering deep suffering. His book, A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss has touched the lives of bereaved people around t...

In today's podcast, Todd and Robyn Leyden share the story of their son, Payton, and his unexpected death from a staph infection at the age of thirteen. With transparency, they offer insights learned through suffering and provide encouragement through sharing the details of seeing God at work in their lives. After the loss of Payton, Todd and Robyn discovered many biblical truths and adopted a...

In today’s podcast, author and mom, Jenny Leavitt, shares her story of suffering and the Lord’s faithfulness to hold her through the storms of life. She is a stage four cancer survivor, and experienced other severe hardships, but those paled in comparison to the loss of her son, Jacob, when he went to Heaven from a car accident. She offers encouragement for those who are grieving a loss and shares...

In December of 2015, Rob & Pam Stalets nearly sixteen-year-old son, Robbie, received the diagnosis of cancer. Remarkably, the doctors stated that he had a 95% chance of recovery, but in only five weeks, Robbie arrived in Heaven. In today’s episode, Rob & Pam share their journey of grief with honestly and transparency. They discuss the faulty view of suffering and healing they had previousl...

In today's episode, Ashley Opliger, Founder of Bridget's Cradles, shares her story of hope amid loss. As she discusses child loss and the subsequent crisis of faith that so many parents experience, she offers her own experience of wrestling with the difficult questions and surrendering her suffering to God. Filled with theological truths, this podcast will give you hope as you seek to trus...

In this episode, Dr. Sean and Candice Thompson share their journey of adoption, special needs, anticipatory loss, helping young siblings process grief, and following Jesus. Their third child, Moses, went to Heaven at the age of six, from a progressive lung disease. As they share their story with transparency, they offer insights from their journey, and talk about spiritual truths that bring hope t...