One of the most difficult things I have faced in my priesthood is working with young couples who lose a baby during pregnancy or childbirth, or have an infant die of SIDS or other inexplicable things. Unfortunately, I have no more answers to the obvious questions than the next person. Ordination did not grace me with a crystal ball that allows me to peer into the mind of God. I ask those same questions myself that the grieving parents ask. All I can do is offer the consolation that our faith tells us God weeps WITH us at these times.
We know that all things happen for a reason, and I tell anyone who will listen that I am keeping a list of all the things I want answered on the day I come before the pearly gates. And yet, I also believe that on that day, all the answers I long for on this side of eternity will be clear as day on the other side.
Nonetheless, there are rejoicing moments in my ministry that make my day as well, and today I experienced one such moment. I have worked for some time with a couple who has gone through not one, but two pregnancies that ended with their unborn babies' death during childbirth. After the second heart-wrenching experience, they decided to explore the route of adoption.
Well, today they called to inform me that they were accepted to become the parents of a baby girl! At last they can become parents - what a tremendous gift God is giving them! I cannot think of a couple who will cherish their baby any more than they will!
God does have a plan. It's just that sometimes He writes straight with crooked lines!
No comments:
Post a Comment