Kristin Vanderlip
About the Author

A bereaved mother and veteran military spouse, Kristin Vanderlip is passionate about spreading the love of writing as a source of healing and hope. She is the author of Rest: A Journal for Lament. Kristin, her husband, and their two boys currently call California’s Bay Area home.

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things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing this painful part of your heart. My sympathies to you.

  2. Oh my. My heart breaks reading this but also reassures me that if I keep my eye on Jesus, it will be well within my soul as the hymn goes. I appreciate that you have shared such a deeply personal piece of your life. I hope I can remember that part of being human means an abundance of good as well as loss when we seek out our Creator.

  3. I have often asked “Why Lord, did You take MY husband and not hers. We were much better friends than them.” OR,
    “Why do I have heart issues and not them.”
    After 7 years, I have come to know that God has special plans for each one and they are not the same. What is that to me about someone else? God loves ME and is with ME always. HE has a plan and all His plans are Good because He is good.

  4. I had never thought about these verses in John in this way. Comparison…so harmful… Thank you for your insights! Especially in today’s social media world is this relevant!!

  5. I completely needed this thought today! I often take my eyes off of my Savior and look away, which causes my soul to stress over (of all things) the future and the what if’s of life!
    We fail to recognize the everyday blessings that always occcur around us!
    Thank you for sharing your journey.

    • Sorry for the loss of your baby daughter. I’m glad you found help in scripture. I had a hard time last year after my injury at work. If I didn’t pray or read scripture I’d been worse off mind wise. I appreciate God’s intercession in my life as I need to continue to talk with him thru the day and read scripture. My husband and I are veterans of USAF. God bless.

  6. This is such a wonderful piece of wisdom. I have often been the one with doubled pain because of comparison, as well. May God make us satisfied in Him, alone!

  7. Thank you so much for sharing, Kristin. I really needed to hear these words. How often I compare myself to those who are married or in a relationship. I’m single and long to be married but when I compare my life to others, I’m taking my eyes off of Jesus and that is never a good thing. Our God’s timing is perfect and He truly is always faithful and good. I pray that we keep our eyes on Jesus, and run the race set before us. God bless you, friend ❤️ Sending love and hugs.

  8. Kristin, thank you for sharing your true heart pain story.
    If only comparison can inspire us to a better self and more focus on God, how wonderful it would be.
    Comparison sometimes can strengthen us through God”s help.
    Lets encourage one another to be giant and able to overcome circumstances by focusing in Him solely.
    Amen.

  9. Kristin,

    So sorry for the loss of your little girl. Prayers for peace & comfort as you mourn. Comparison is a tool of the devil. He wants us to look around & be upset at what we don’t have. God wants us happy & content with what we do have. If we took a hard look at most of the world we would realize just how blessed we are here in USA. Stay focused on God, realign your thoughts & desires with His then you will find true peace & comfort.

    Blessings 🙂

  10. I do not think there is a great pain than losing a child. My little sister died from terrible cancer of the face in 1963 and my parents’ grief was like a wall that you could see. My Mom told me later that she was so sad, she could not think about her 5 living children–only her lost lamb. She was not into spiritual experiences, but 1 day–she had a vision–I believe sent my God. Her father had died the previous year. As she looked, there was a desolate, cold view–that felt like her heart. She saw a light and there was my Grandfather holding my little sister and the peace of God that passes understanding dwelt in her heart. As the 2 of them disappeared, the light in its wake–the scene changed to glorious spring. While she still grieved, she was able to pick up the pieces and resume life. God is good all the time. May God who loves touch your heart and know that you will see your child again. Hugs.