The loss of a child is one of life’s most painfully difficult experiences. Even in such loss and personal grief, there is hope for the future. Perhaps you have undergone a similar experience and need a resource to “get you through”. In the pages of God’s Presence in the Loss of a Child, you will find comfort, encouragement and hope, but most importantly, an example of how God’s love can provide the healing you so desire in your life at this time. This little book can make a big difference in the rest of your life! —Topper Reid, Vice President, Church Strengthening Division, Unlimited Partnerships?
No one can identify with the depth of the pain of losing a baby like someone else who has also experienced the death of an infant. If you have suffered the unutterable tragedy of burying your baby, reading the story of Bill and Melanie Sanford's loss of their precious newborn Stephanie may bring you much-needed comfort, not because of what they found in themselves, but because of what they found in God in the most difficult moment of their lives. —Don Whitney, Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality, Senior Associate Dean for the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bill Sanford’s tender account of the turmoil and eventual loss of their precious newborn daughter, Stephanie, is a story filled with love and hope, despite the deep confusion and sorrow they experienced. The basis for this hope? God’s grace, and God’s grace alone. Here’s a story that magnifies God in showing him to be the only adequate source of comfort, strength, hope and faith in a time of deep human loss. Praise be to God that no trial is too great for God’s wisdom and strength, and no sorrow too deep that his love and care cannot penetrate. As Bill says over and again, because God is in control and God is good, we can know his wise purposes are being accomplished even through the trials and losses of life. Here is true hope, indeed. —Bruce A. Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
God’s Presence in the Loss of a Child, is an account of a remarkable child and a grieving father. In this moving book, Bill Sanford reveals the heart of a grieving father and the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the testimony of a believer, tested by fire, and a tribute to the sanctity of human life and the power of Christ in the midst of unspeakable loss. —R. Albert Mohler Jr., President Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, J.T. English, Director of Theological Research, Office of the President
This is a hard book to read, especially for a parent. In this personal testimony we hear from Bill and Melanie Sanford about what it means to lose a child. But, more than that, we hear their witness as to how God is faithful to his children. —Russell D. Moore, President Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention
Bill Sanford is an incredible Christian man with an incredible Christian story to tell. This book, God’s Presence in the Loss of a Child, is straight from his heart to the reader's heart. It will prove to be encouraging reading for all, especially those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or are seeking to minister to someone who has. —Jason K. Allen, Ph.D., President Midwestern Baptist, Theological Seminary & College
This story of the death of Stephanie Sanford at twelve days old is told with as much tenderness and gentleness as the parents' all too short embrace of this child must have been. This is not only a riveting story, told with clarity and emotional immediacy, but is a lesson in how divine Providence, the secret operations of sustaining grace, and the liveliness of the word of God sustained Bill and Melanie Sanford and an entire church family in a twelve day life-or-death drama that Bill describes so graphically in the image of a roller coaster. God's glory shines through in Bill's pointing to Scripture and to the glory of Christ and the goodness of God interleaved through every moment of the quickly shifting scenes from hope to unknowing. We learn from this that all gifts are from God and he only takes from us that which he himself already has given. Our sense of loss is only possible because it was preceded by a sense of the overwhelming goodness of God in the bestowal of blessings. This book is a faithful testimony from a parent that has clearly been the object of tender mercies. It will be a great encouragement to many. —Tom J. Nettles, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
