In Memory

I went to a funeral yesterday for Carrie and Kara Johnson, the infant granddaughters of some church members who were born way too early (only about 5 months into the pregnancy) and didn't survive. During the funeral, the pastor talked about how they had gone right from birth to heaven, and how they would have avoided any pain and difficulty here on earth that way.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't find that at all comforting. As a matter of fact, it kind of makes me angry. It stinks that these young girls never got a chance to live, that their parents never got to watch them go to prom, walk down the aisle, hold them as they sobbed over a break-up...

I can't see how I can ethically live my life waiting for heaven. There is too much joy and sorrow to be experienced here on earth. Then he (the pastor) actually said that it was "God's pleasure" to call these young girls home. What the? The God I'm getting to know isn't at all pleased that these young girls died. The God I believe in is sobbing, bawling about this tragedy.

Oh, well. I guess that someone may have found comfort in those words. Personally, I did not. I guess I need to work up some notes just in case I ever have to preside at such a tragic funeral...

Don't get me wrong, I still have great faith in God. But I'm also VERY sad that the world will never get to know those two young girls. I'm heartbroken, and that's going to take some time to heal.