Loss of a Child

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14B, 24-25A, 30–19:3

Absalom unexpectedly came up against David's servants.
He was mounted on a mule,
and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth,
his hair caught fast in the tree.
He hung between heaven and earth
while the mule he had been riding ran off.
Someone saw this and reported to Joab
that he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth.
And taking three pikes in hand,
he thrust for the heart of Absalom,
still hanging from the tree alive.

Now David was sitting between the two gates,
and a lookout went up to the roof of the gate above the city wall,
where he looked about and saw a man running all alone.
The lookout shouted to inform the king, who said,
"If he is alone, he has good news to report."
The king said, "Step aside and remain in attendance here."
So he stepped aside and remained there.
When the Cushite messenger came in, he said,
"Let my lord the king receive the good news
that this day the LORD has taken your part,
freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against you."
But the king asked the Cushite, "Is young Absalom safe?"
The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king
and all who rebel against you with evil intent
be as that young man!"

The king was shaken,
and went up to the room over the city gate to weep.
He said as he wept,
"My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom!
If only I had died instead of you,
Absalom, my son, my son!"

Joab was told that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom;
and that day's victory was turned into mourning for the whole army
when they heard that the king was grieving for his son.

There is nothing worse than the loss of a child. I am a father of six, and just the other day I was watching a fictional film where a father lost one of his children. The idea of loosing one of mine immediately ran through my head and tears began rolling down my cheek. I don't consider myself a weak man, I consider thought of a loss such as that so great. I hope and pray that I never have to see any of my children pass away. I want them to live long and fruitful lives. Reflecting on these lines though, I have to realize that I am a child myself as you. I am a child of God. God is our father and he loves us all dearly as a perfect father. Seeing us in pain or dying in sin brings him great suffering. I don't think I ever really thought about that till just now. I get so wrapped up in my own will, desires and ego that I often forget the love of my Father in Heaven. So as I go out today I will try and love as God does. I will try and teach as God does in hopes that I will get to see my children in heaven after we are both gone off this earth.

Jesus,

I don't always appreciate and respect that I am a child of God. I am sorry. Help me to be more mindful of who I am and my place in this world. Help me to treasure each moment as the gift that it is. Help me to share my knowledge of everyone's preciousness in this world. Maybe if we all new just how loved and special we all are we would do a better making better of our time here. Help me to make the most of this life. I love you Jesus. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen