Prayer Heart Project


LOVE NEVER ENDS. 1 COR 13:7-8

Prayer and love are two very powerful acts that join our hearts. In times of joyful celebration and thanksgiving OR in times of tribulation and sadness- prayer and love connect us. Through connection, we defy the odds and the false belief that we are in this (whatever "this" may be) alone. 


Prayer Hearts are painted to resemble angel wings and they were created to uplift and encourage. My prayer hearts on canvas are meant to be symbols of love: A gift to bring joy or well wishes, to say "congrats", "thinking of you", to provide comfort and strength. Sometimes what is needed most in this life is a small gesture of warmth and the ability to listen. When words may not seem enough, a simple gift can act as the most meaningful symbol of love and a physical daily reminder that no matter your circumstance, Gods love NEVER ends.



HOW THE PRAYER HEART PROJECT BEGAN

We found out in early January 2017 that we were expecting our second child on September 14. We were absolutely thrilled. Before we knew it we entered our second trimester and with each appointment our excitement & love for this child grew and grew. We were so anxious to find out gender and all eyes were on the future, until time stopped. On April 3, 2017 at 4:51pm, far too soon, our beautiful baby boy was delivered straight into the arms of Jesus. He was just 17 weeks old, 3.7 ounces and 6.5 inches long. He was absolutely perfect with 10 tiny fingers and 10 tiny toes, a sweet little nose, tiny lips and ears. His umbilical cord had somehow gotten twisted right at this belly button causing his heart to stop. I have never felt a pain or hurt so deep in my heart. His daddy and I held Him, cried over him, and prayed over Him. We were amazed at how perfectly and wonderfully made he was by our creator, overjoyed because God gave us a son but heartbroken because we could not keep him here with us on this earth. 


Painting Prayer Hearts began as part of my healing and helped me cope with my grief. I created the small wooden prayer hearts as a way to honor our sons life and to comfort others in a similar situation. They will be donated to the Mommy to Mommy Outreach Program, an arm of Naomi's Circle, and delivered to local hospitals here in Columbia, SC. They are meant to be a symbol of love eternal, the bond that you will forever share with your child, and a physical reminder of the child that Jesus has in his keeping but that you will always carry in your heart. The back of each heart includes the text "Love Never Ends- 1 Cor. 13:7-8" and there is also space to personalize with a name. The blue and pink wooden hearts are mailed free to anyone who has lost a child far too early that would like to have one. My sweet child was a part of me, and although I will never know life with him on this earth other than in my belly, I will always remember and honor his life, no matter how short-lived. My prayer heart sits on my desk as a daily reminder of my son. It's a constant reminder that love never ends, that I am not alone, and that although I will never understand, by God's grace I will get through this--and so will you. I pray that by sharing my story, others going through this same terrible reality will know they are not alone. Please email to request a heart for yourself or a friend/loved one. Poems can be included by request.