If only they knew that Heaven is a place filled with people taken from us before their time....

“So imitate God. Follow Him like adored children, and live in love as the Anointed One loved you—so much that He gave Himself as a fragrant sacrifice, pleasing God.” — Ephesians 5:1-2

In my conversations with others who experienced the loss of a child, I've learned that this form of grief is never a cookie cutter grief. It isn't a one size fit all, 6 months out and it's back to life as we know it approaches. 

This kind of grief takes a special kind of caring and some pretty good listening on the part of those who care.

A child is a precious gift of our heavenly Father, who I imagine each time one of these little ones were born warms God's, heart. 

I can imagine that it brought smiles to  God just as it does for us every time a little one coos, smiles,  laughs, or sings 'Jesus Loves Me' in Church. 

It warms God's heart when he sees the profound impact on adults each time a little one is held.  Walk into any child care center and I can assure you that there are plenty of smiling faces on the grown-ups who work there.   

I imagine that when one of these little ones dies suddenly before their time, God grieves just as we grieve. He cries just as we cry. In fact, since we were created in His image means that we share God's emotions. 

God could see the unimaginable toll that grief would play on humanity each time a life would be taken. 

Since the beginning of time, God has used those he called to tell them how much He loves them.

"Abram, you will father a nation! And Abram,  tell the people I love them."

"Moses, you deliver my people! And Moses, tell the people I love them."

" Joshua, you will lead the chosen ones! And Joshua, tell the people I love them"

"David, you will reign over the people! And David, tell the people I love t hem"

" Jeremiah, you will bear tidings and bondage! But, Jeremiah, remind my children that I love them." (Page 74 'God came near' by Max Lucado)

When God sent His son to die for us it was as though he was reminding us how much He loves us.

Oh, how God wishes that everyone would learn to trust the one who died for them- the gift of His Son, the one who truly understands the intensity of their pain when death occurs. 

If only they would know that Jesus's death and well-documented resurrection made it possible that the love of our loved one doesn't just disappear, but continues on in this place we call heaven.

If only they knew that even if their earthly father disappointed them, they have a heavenly Father who waits for them to call on Him each time pain and suffering is close by.

If only they knew that drinking hard liquor isn't the way to cope with their pain. 

If only they understood that God's wisdom is as close to them as reading the book of Psalms or going on bended knee and uttering their pain in prayer, or keeping a prayer journal that reflects the amazing ways God is helping them in this life.

If only they knew......