Johnny Gibson, a pastor and author of 'The Moon Is Always Round,' shares his poignant journey through grief after the stillbirth of his daughter, Layla. He discusses how he and his wife Jackie navigated their loss, emphasizing the importance of communication and support. Their young son, Ben, asked insightful questions that sparked deep conversations about faith and mortality. They highlight personal rituals to honor Layla's memory and how her legacy inspires others through their book, which funds a scholarship for future Christian leaders.
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Conversation Inspires Children's Book
Johnny had a deep conversation with his 3.5-year-old son Ben about their stillborn daughter Layla and her being with Jesus in heaven.
This poignant talk inspired Johnny to write the children's book "The Moon Is Always Round" from Ben's perspective.
insights INSIGHT
Children's Strength in Grief
Children can be stronger in grief than adults expect and including them in grieving can help the whole family heal.
Discovering previous family tragedies revealed generational reluctance to speak about grief openly.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Grave Visits Aid Grief
Johnny coped by frequently visiting Layla's grave, integrating these visits with his pastoral work.
The grave became a special place for reflection, prayer, and connection for the family and community support was vital.
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In "The Moon Is Always Round," Johnny Gibson recounts the profound conversations he had with his young son, Ben, after the stillbirth of their daughter, Layla. The book poignantly captures Ben's innocent yet insightful questions about death, faith, and heaven. It explores the family's journey through grief, highlighting the importance of open communication and faith in the face of loss. The narrative is told from Ben's perspective, making it accessible and relatable to children and adults alike. The book's simple yet powerful message of hope and God's unwavering goodness resonates deeply with readers.
You Are Still a Mother
Hope for Women Grieving a Stillbirth or Miscarriage
Jackie Gibson
Jackie Gibson's "You Are Still a Mother" offers comfort and guidance to women grieving the loss of a baby through stillbirth or miscarriage. The book explores the unique challenges of this type of loss, where the mother's experience may feel invisible due to the lack of a tangible baby to hold. Gibson shares her personal story of losing her daughter, Layla, and the profound grief that followed. She emphasizes the enduring reality of motherhood, even in the face of loss, and provides spiritual reflections on God's sovereignty and grace. The book aims to provide hope and support to those navigating this difficult journey.
In this FamilyLife Today podcast episode, Dave and Ann Wilson speak to Johnny and Jackie Gibson as they share their deeply moving journey through grief after the stillbirth of their daughter, Layla. Johnny opens up about the painful experience of losing Layla in 2016, a tragedy that left them both devastated. The couple talks about their personal ways of coping with grief, including how they involved their young son, Ben, in the grieving process. Ben, at just three and a half years old, asked poignant questions that prompted profound conversations about death and faith. Johnny shares how these conversations inspired him to write The Moon is Always Round, a book about grief and hope told from Ben’s perspective.
The couple discusses how they handled their grief differently but remained close throughout the process. They mention how they supported each other through the journey and how their marriage grew stronger as a result of facing this tragic loss together. The importance of open communication and space to grieve in different ways is highlighted, as well as the comfort they found in their faith and the church community.
In addition, they share touching personal rituals, like visiting Layla’s grave and engaging in a family catechism, to honor her memory. Johnny reflects on how their daughter's legacy continues to impact many people through the book and how the royalties from The Moon is Always Round fund the Layla the Evangelist scholarship, helping train future Christian evangelists. This episode is a powerful testament to faith, grief, and the ways in which even the shortest lives can leave an enduring impact.
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