I recently wrote about adoption, and the blessing that can be to both children and parents. In the past ten days I have been made aware of one of the really hard parts of parenting. Two small children, one 14 months old, and the other 18 months old went home to be with Jesus. One family I know personally, although I have not seem them since their loss, as I have been out of the country in which we both live, but my heart is grieving with them in the loss of their youngest child. The other family I do not know personally, but have followed in the on-line community watching their delight in the achievements of their little one, who was initially not expected to live for many weeks, but who lived for 14 months and brought much joy to their lives (as well as struggles and heart ache).
I cannot begin to imagine the grief of losing a child. It is hard enough to lose a parent, whom you know loved the Lord, and who had lived for almost 70 years. You kind of expect that your parents will die before you do, although you hope they will live long, happy, healthy lives. To lose a child, either before they are born or afterwards must be even more difficult.
Will you pray for these families, and others like them around the world, who have lost precious little ones. Pray for God to comfort them. Pray for the other children in those families, that they will be able to express the loss that they are experiencing. Pray for those who are around them, to know the right words to say or not say. God gives us children for a season, to love and cherish and raise for Him. Sometimes we know they are only on a short loan to us, other times they are snatched away unexpectedly. We know He is sovereign and in control, and that He uses all things for God, but life can be painful at times. These families don't just need our prayers now, they need them for many years to come.
And pray for the children in your life. Pray for those children that are not yet born as well. Pray for God's protection and guidance, and pray that they will know Him. Jesus loves the little children.
I missed your thoughts on adoption.
ReplyDeleteDo you realise that adoption in Cambodia is not usually because the child is loved & chosen, but grabbed as a slave. Biological children are sent to school while adopted child cleans, washes, etc.
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Not all adoptions in Cambodia are like that. I know at least two families who have adopted children because they wanted to love and cherish those children as their own. Fortunately things seem to be changing. I'm not saying it's perfect, but there are a lot of people out there working to improve the situation both in orphanages and for children being adopted.
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