A BABY'S FUNERAL

I'm having a good week. No more pain, nausea, and more stuff. More strength is flowing through me. I'm steadier on my feet. I'm going to church and church activities. I'm in my office producing work, which pleases me. As Aunt Bea always said, "You better give God the glory!" Aunt Bea is in her 90s and was a missionary evangelist who traveled the world. She's praying for me, too.

"Lord, thank You for all You're doing for me. You are such a good God!"

***

Several Sundays ago, I awakened early. No chills, no fever, no pain. I'll go to church this morning!

Two hours later…I'll go next Sunday. Too weak. Must rest.

Later, Milton comes home. I find out the funeral for the three-month-old baby is this afternoon. Pain akin to the physical grips my heart for this family. Not only has this happened, they've faced other sadnesses recently.

I'm going to the funeral. I want to hug them, cry with them, tell them I'm praying for them.

Will the church have steps? Will I have to walk far?

***

I knew Milton would hold my hand to steady me.

He did.

***

"Lord, sustain this family. Wrap Your loving arms around them. Please give them that supernatural cloud of peace You gave me when I learned I had GBM brain cancer, stage 4. Comfort them, Lord. Holy Spirit, You are the Comforter, according to what Jesus said. Your name in Greek means, "the One who walks along beside us." Walk beside this precious family. The parents. The grandparents. The rest of the family. Their friends--all who are affected by this tragedy. Oh, God, we don't understand why. Our hearts are hurting. But You are the God of comfort, and I'm asking You--as are my readers--to heal their hearts. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

***

In my recuperation, I watched TV because reading was laborious for me. I "overdosed" on House and Garden TV. Could such a thing happen? Haha.

One program I enjoyed that I never had time to watch is Joyce Meyer. She delivers practical truths in punchy ways.

One day, she said a man said, "God, where were you when my son died?"

"The same place I was when my son died," God replied.

That doesn't ease the pain of two young parents and grandparents seeing their baby die. It doesn't take away their despair. It won't bring the little fellow back. But family, I can say with confidence, that God will hold your hand in your grief. He held mine.

***

The photo is of our grandson at the Christmas Candlelight Communion service. He was praying so fervently. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much," the Bible says in James 5:16, NKJV. "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV).