When a child dies

When they become of age they will discover a wonderfully suited partner with whom they will share their life and establish a home. They will find untold delights in that married relationship. There will not be offspring, in the usual sense, for the Divine plan is that in order to be free all angels must first be born in the world. In the place of offspring through working together they will know the wonder of bringing to birth new ways of serving their neighbors. The conception and birth of these new ways of serving will bring the same kind of delight as the birth of a child brings in this world. Married partners who truly try to serve others in this world can feel something of this pleasure, even after the child--bearing years have passed.

Grieving parents and friends of a child who has died can know that the child is feeling untold joy and happiness. For the child the experience is wonderful and exciting. It is true that the mother and father who are still here know terrific heartache, but over time, the confidence in the reality of what is happening to their child can bring consolation. They can also know that they will surely see them again.

Our loving Creator wills that we should live full, free and responsible lives and die quietly in our sleep. But God permits many things that He does not will. We will never fully understand all the reasons for premature death. We can know some. 1. The child will be prepared for a unique useful place in heaven, quite differently than if he remained here. 2. They may have been called because circumstances might develop which they might not have the spiritual strength to bear. 3.Life in the heavenly society that they join is wonderfully affected by their coming. Not only are they cared for, but they are prepared to perform unique services to others. 4. When they leave for life in heaven it has a profound impact not only on those closest to them, but even on those who only knew them slightly. For example, most parents of a child who goes to heaven face questions not only about the child’s life, but about their own lives as well. It makes all who hear of it think.

Many use the expression that we die when our number is up. Such an expression hardly covers the reality. People die, when in the infinite wisdom of God, all the present and eternal effects of that death make it the most loving and beneficial time.

When we see the real and heavenly purpose for which all are being prepared, we cannot blame ourselves. To make it be our fault, is to deny the wisdom and love of God. Such a death is a time for growth, not guilt.

Obviously there is a great sense of loss and grief. Such grief is proper to all who love. But given time and prayer grief can lead to reflection concerning the very purpose of life itself. It can open new directions in our lives. As a merciful God, He would never permit such things to happen, unless good could come out of them. But it is up to us to open our minds and hearts so that we can be lead into that good.