In Loving Memory of Those We've Lost 'Too Soon'

          When a child passes away, it's not easy for anyone. We have this expectation that people live their entire life, grow old, then die. That's the way it's supposed to be. So when that expectation isn't met, we get angry, we get confused, we get disappointed, and more people than not ask God, "Why? How could you do this? If you're such a good and mighty God, why would you let this child die?" This post is inspired by the death of a young boy who was very close to the family of my best friend, but this isn't the first time my family has dealt with the loss of a child. My uncle was born in May of 1971, and he died soon thereafter. I can't even imagine the grief of bringing a child into this world only to have him ripped away before being able to get to know him. A few years ago, some church friends of ours lost their 3-year-old grandson to an abusive boyfriend, and there are a thousand more stories like ours. 
          When we go through tough times in our lives, we turn to God and find comfort in knowing that He is our Comforter and our Healer. When we turn away from God and get angry at Him at the loss of a child, what we're really saying is, "This hurt is too big for you to heal, so just go away." That is a lie, and that is the enemy in your ear telling you that. You CAN be healed through the power of Christ, and you WILL find peace when you give it up to Him, but you're allowed to be sad. In John 11, Jesus hears about his friend Lazarus dying. When Jesus sees where they buried Lazarus, Jesus cried for the loss of his friend, even though he was about to raise him from the dead! So cry, and be sad, because you won't have that little bundle of joy around you anymore. But once you've cried all your tears, look to God and honestly trust that He has a purpose for your life, and that He will bring you through this. 
          As Americans, we tend to be people of action. We like to say, "How can this be prevented, or what can I do to remedy this?" As Christians, we need to ask some of the same questions, but keep the focus of what God wants us to do. When a family member who knows the Lord passes away, we can find hope in our grieving. We can confidently proclaim that to be absent from these bodies is to be in the presence of the Lord. That whole, "They're in a better place now," thing is true for us! If the Lord decided to call me home today, I wouldn't be complaining about it! That's where we belong. 
          When we don't know whether the child who died had accepted Christ, things get tricky. How old is a child before he can truly know God and accept Him? God wouldn't condemn an innocent child to hell, would He? Well none of us are born innocent. We are born of a wicked, sinful nature. But, our God is just, and we have to believe that with our whole hearts. Children have a special aspect of being completely trusting. If you've ever jokingly betrayed a child, and seen the aftermath, you know what I'm talking about. Because of that, Jesus says we need to have "faith like a child." (Luke 18:17)
          So what CAN we do about this? What is our call to action here? For me, it's perfectly clear that we need to tell them about Jesus Christ. Tell them now, and we won't have to question whether or not they're in heaven. Don't hold back from telling little children the good news of Jesus Christ because they're "too young to understand it." Matthew 19:14 explicitly says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." So tell your children about Jesus Christ. Tell your friends' children about Jesus Christ. Tell your neighbor children about Jesus Christ, and most importantly, DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
          Why would you worry about whether the neighbor lady is going to approve of you telling her kid about Jesus? Would you trade your friendship with her for the salvation of that little one? How do you know that she won't approve? Why are you ashamed of the Gospel?

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” " - Matthew 28:18-20

Surely, surely You are with us to the very end of the age. What a beautiful promise, God. What a beautiful God You are. There is truly none like you, and none above you. Jesus, do not let us turn away from You when tragedy strikes. Be near to your people while they grieve, just as our Father was near to You when Lazarus had died. Death no longer holds its sting on us because of what You did for us. Let us find comfort in your arms when life seems unbearable, and help us to never forget that You have a plan for our lives that is so much better than anyone could ever imagine. For no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagine what God has planned for those who love Him. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. We will be comforted.

Amen.