Brenda is a graduate of Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. As a therapist for the Liberty Godparent Home and later the Director of Client Services at a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Davie, Florida, Brenda has developed a heart for discipling young ladies and ministering to them both one on one and in group settings. She continued to fulfill her passion for discipleship by homeschooling her three children. Because Brenda has a heart for worship and a desire to lead women to a deeper relationship with the Lord through music and scripture, she has had opportunities to lead worship for women’s groups in both small settings and large conferences. With a love for writing, music and discipleship, Brenda has served alongside her husband Cliff, who is a Professor of Worship at Liberty University and the Worship Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church. Cliff and Brenda have been married for 35 years and are blessed with three children and three grandchildren who all love and are serving the Lord. 
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Rushing into the emergency room I knew something was wrong. Three months pregnant and there was nothing to do but wait…wait…wait. Finally, they rolled me back to the ultrasound room while a million thoughts rushed through my mind–too many to count. I slowly pulled myself up onto the table and waited for the inevitable. As a therapist for crisis pregnancies, I had seen my share of ultrasounds, so I knew when things were not right. They scrolled the cold plastic ball over my belly, and I watched the screen with hesitation. My heart sank. I felt sick. I could see, no heartbeat. No life. I was paralyzed as the tears crept down my cheeks without permission. No one spoke a word. There was nothing to say. The next week my emotions went from denial to deep sorrow. The loss was almost too much to bear. Family and friends gathered around me but there was no comfort.
Pregnancy was nearly impossible for us so I thought that I may never feel the joy of having a child. We waited and prayed and hoped and prayed and waited even more.
Isaiah 40:31, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Did you know that the word ‘wait’ in this verse does not mean to just sit around and doubt while time is passing? No, the word ‘wait’ in this verse is an action word. It means to hope with expectation. We should never sit on our couch asking God for answers while we are doing nothing. We should actively hope with great anticipation preparing for what He will do! God had a plan for my children from the beginning of time. He just wanted to prepare my heart for those precious gifts. I thought that adoption may be God’s plan for us, but I still took my temperature every morning wondering if conception was still an option. Years passed and God finally allowed me to feel the joy of a tiny kick in my belly! The time spent waiting was a time of growth in my trust of the Father. Trusting that whatever His plan, it was far better than mine! After a total of 9 pregnancies, God blessed me with 3 amazing children. I wait every day to watch them rise up with wings like eagles.
If you or a loved one are experiencing the pain of loss of a child, please reach out and talk to someone. Seek comfort from your church, your neighbor, or one of these groups dedicated to helping hurting women.
