Without question this is one of the most challenging situations for a minister to have to deal with. If there is one thing I have learned about these types of tragedies it is that there is no right answer to the how-why-what questions the grieving parents will ask. I’ve always tried to take the honest approach and say that while none of us can know why this happened, we can take comfort in the fact that our Heavenly Father does, therefore we can be assured that there is in fact a reason. We may never know this side of glory all of the reasons why, but as David told us we can join them one day, and then we will have eternity with them. Just being there, sharing with them the sense of loss and grief has often proved to be invaluable to those who have walked this dark valley. It’s pretty amazing how much power there is in just being present for people________________“Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”
My phone rang, while I was preaching, on a Sunday night. I quickly silenced it and moved on. After church, I returned the call. It was the hospital, asking me to come. A new born was in cardiac arrest and they needed me NOW.When I walked through the doors of the hospital, I knew the baby was dead. I was taken in room, where the parents were. At this point, the doctors had not told anyone about the status of the baby. But the Holy Spirit had impressed it on me. I met the family, and prayed with them briefly. As soon as I said amen, the doctors came in, and gave them the news. Their newborn was gone. The couple was taken next door, where the baby was, and the door was shut. In a few minutes, someone asked me to come in. If I live to be 100, I will never forget seeing that young mother, holding her dead baby, in her arms.I stayed until the funeral home came. My job was to get the family away from the room, and keep them calm, while they took the baby away….in a car seat. I don’t remember what I did, or said to the family. I do remember holding myself together, until I got into my truck, to leave the hospital……and then I completely broke.One of the most difficult things we are called on to do________________