Josiah Davies Boa

05/25/2019
3:09 AM - 7:29 AM

Hello friend,

Thank you for visiting this page.

It's a place where we honor our son Josiah.

We invite you to join us as we remember his birth and grieve his death.

Below, you will find a guided lament experience we designed to assist you.

This will require at least 5 minutes.

Please take much time as you need.

Thank you for grieving with us, 

Rebecca and Drew Boa

Ready?

• Find a quiet place to sit.
• Eliminate all distractions.
• Light a candle if you have one.

        Now let us begin...

1. Remember

In September 2018, we found out we were pregnant with our second child. We were elated.

In November, we received the diagnosis that our child had anencephaly, a condition where his skull would not form and he would therefore not live outside the womb. We were utterly devastated.

In early spring we chose the name Josiah, which means "healed by God." This was our cry and our way of clinging to the eternal truth that God will heal Josiah.

In late April, we went to the hospital for an induced delivery. After 48 hours, it was clear that Josiah was not going to come. So we returned home and had one more month with Josiah in Rebecca's belly.

On May 23rd, we returned to the hospital. Josiah was born early in the morning on May 25th. Josiah lived for four hours in the company of his parents and grandparents.

2. Reflect

Take a few moments to grieve the loss of Josiah.

Listen to this song and look at the picture.

3. Respond

Conclude this time with a prayer of lament. Let your broken heart speak. Lament is raw, honest, and painful. It's not PG. Lament is a biblical way to mourn the brokenness and injustice in the world. We lament the condition that took away our son.

You may or may not want to expand your lament beyond Josiah's condition. Feel free to also lament whatever brokenness has deeply touched your own life. 

There is not one "right" way to lament. You can write it down, scream it out, or simply let it linger in the silence.

[PRAY YOUR LAMENT NOW]

When you're done, blow out your candle (if you have one). Thank you for joining us on this journey of grief.