Editor’s Note: While this column is prompted by the loss of a particular child in a traffic accident, the thoughts contained in it are universal.

Oh Most Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father,

We come to you today with a heavy heart; another precious child has been called home to her rest, and we are left to ask why? She leaves behind a loving family that grieves for her, a tear on their heart that will never scar over. No more will they hear the words that all parents live for, “Momma, Daddy, I love you!” Now their days will be filled with silence, and the prayer that they will see the dawn break through the window, and the events of the past few days were nothing but a dream that passed through the night. But with each new dawn, the realization of the truth will tear the heart of those who loved her a little more.

Oh Lord, our children are our future, but it seems lately so many are leaving us, we are their protectors, but no matter how hard we try, they still slip through our fingers. And we are left with doubts and fears that we could have done something differently. Help us to come to terms with the concept that sometimes our life is beyond our own control, that accidents do happen, and we must just live with the consequences.

But Father how do we do that, how do we learn to live with what life has wrought upon us? How do we say to our loved ones “It will get better,” when we barely believe it ourselves? How do we carry this awful burden that has been placed on our shoulders? I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul, who carried a burden, a burden so heavy that three times he asked you to relieve him of it. And I am reminded of YOUR answer to him, “MY grace is sufficient.”

Teach us Oh Lord; teach us of this grace that will heal our heavy hearts. Teach us to surrender to it that our burdens may be lifted. Again I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul which you gave to him in the book of 1st Corinthians 10:13, “There is no temptation taken you but is common to man: but GOD is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but with the temptation also make an escape, that you may be able to bear it.” These words we cling to Father; you know our woes, help us to bear them, and through your words help us to find peace again in our hearts.

But Father we lose so many in the dawn of their lives, that’s what troubles us so. We ask ourselves why, and no answer comes. We lose them through sickness, accidents and on the field of battle. When Gracious Heavenly Father, when will it end? You gave them to us for such a short time. We surround them with love, to the point where if they are cut, we bleed, if they are sad, our souls cry out in pain. And when one of them is taken from us, our soul feels as if it is ripped from our body. There where once stood a living, breathing part of us, is just a mist, that on occasion parts, and we see the smile that time can never dim.

And now Father we have lost another precious child. A beautiful daughter, born of loving parents, who must now carry on with their lives without her. Each day they will arise from their beds, and for a brief moment this nightmare didn’t happen. But as the dawn breaks through the window the realities of life will return to them. We pray Oh Lord, with the returning of each morning, you will renew their strength, to place one foot in front of the other, to carry on, and someday let peace return to them. To the brother left behind, bless him, pour your grace out on him as if from a fountain, may his peace be found in you Oh Lord. To his extended family, be with them as well, they watched her grow as their own, they grieve, but let not the burden be unbearable. To her friends and classmates, they have lost one of their own, we sometimes forget that they spent as much time together as the family. They shared dreams, laughs, good times and bad, they

grew from the dawn of childhood to the dawn of adulthood together, let your grace be upon them we pray. Help them come to terms with this loss, help them just remember the good times and not the horrors of the past days. Help them always when they speak of her, do so with a smile and not a tear.

Lord, I know I have been speaking of this one child, but in reality I’m speaking of all our children. Bless them Lord with your grace, be with them, and be with us Lord as we try to raise them according to your will. Let not their burdens be heavy, this is the time of their lives which they will speak of till they pass from here to eternity. Let it not be filled with sadness, but only of goodness and light. And when times of sadness come, please Lord, be merciful to them, and us as well.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son,

Amen.

You can reach Robbin by e-mail at robbinbruce@yahoo.com.