There aren’t many things I hate.
There aren’t many things I hate, but I HATE, and I mean LOATHE AND DESPISE WITH EVERY OUNCE OF MY BEING, hearing about the loss of a child. It cuts me to the core, breaks my heart, and I will sob uncontrollably for complete strangers if I hear they have lost a child.
Two couples – not my personal friends, but a brother of a friend and a co-worker of a friend – have lost children in the past week. Both boys were infants, one having Trisomy 13 and the other having Trisomy 18.
Sweet baby Joseph lived only 44 hours and went home with Jesus on Christmas Eve. The other boy was born last night and, as I write this, I’m unsure if he was stillborn or lived only a few minutes.
These aren’t just stories you hear about. These are two couples who had the joy of a positive pregnancy test, the thrill of feeling their baby move within their womb, the hopeful anticipation of watching these tiny babies turn into rambunctious little boys, who would then turn into men. Boys who would play in the dirt, build forts, wrestle on the living room floor with their daddies, and let their mommies kiss their boo-boos. AND THESE COUPLES WERE ROBBED of all those experiences and all of that joy.
Did God do this? No, He did not. We live in a fallen world and life is hard (total understatement). I can’t explain why terrible things happen, but I do know that terrible things are not OF GOD. And I’ll tell you something else about God. He knows how it feels to lose a child. More specifically, He knows how it feels to lose a Son. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. (2 Corinthians 1:3)
I so look forward to the day when God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)
Screw you, Trisomy.
“And I’ll tell you something else about God. He knows how it feels to lose a child. More specifically, He knows how it feels to lose a Son.”
That is so, so true. I never thought about it that way!
Great post.
After watching that video, I am in tears and hugging one of my girls tightly. I can’t imagine what those parents and friends of friends of yours are going through. So, so sad.
**As I re-read my comment, the little smiley face emoticon seems to take away from the graveness of the post, so I apologize for that. I only meant to applaud your theology, not to seem insensitive to the subject.
message to these families… I love you guys so much. You are such wonderful people. I am a social worker and worked 26 years in matters such as this. Only once, did I have a couple who had a Trisomy 13 baby and the dr. advised them to put the baby in an institution because it was going to die. I was able to convince them to take their baby home and love her until she did pass away. It was the right thing to do and they did. I’m so glad you did the same. God will bless you. You are wonderful parents. You should have many children.