Remembering Melaina

I was asked to do the memorial service for a beautiful 3 year old girl named Melaina Cunningham. Melaina died due to complications with a congenital disease called Nemaline Myopathy. Working with the parents over the past week has reminded me of how nothing is more difficult than the death of one's child.

In Romans 8, Paul says that our current sufferings cannot come close to comparing to our hope and future glory in Christ Jesus. I appreciate this so much for a couple of reasons. First, Paul doesn't say we shouldn't be sad, or grieve, or be frustrated, angry, or even ask tough questions; instead he says these are realities, but realities that do not compare to what is coming. In other words, this hope and future glory does not eliminate our suffering, but prevents our despair.

"Church-folk" need to remember this when interacting with those who are hurting. Platitudes about streets of gold spoken as if this should alleviate the burden of a lost child are not helpful. We are to bear one another's burdens, not try to make them okay with pithy sayings.

Melaina was special; her absence is dreadful. We patiently wait in hope for the redemption of our bodies and our adoption as sons and daughters. Meanwhile, we groan...and the Spirit helps us.

Leviticus

Okay, I'm in the dreaded book of Leviticus. Here's what I get from the first 6 or so chapters. Sin is a real problem, and dealing with it involves death and stench and blood. I don't think we have a really good grasp of the cosmic, communal, and spiritual impact of sin. Just like our faith is personal, but not private, so our sin may be personal but not private.

Perhaps that's where the power of confession rests. I've heard we are wounded in community and therefore are healed in community; perhaps it's just as true that we sin in community so we need repentance and mercy to occur in community. Even if we sin in secret, we are part of communities and these communities are impacted by our sin though we may not recognize it.

A little refurbished poem of mine that's been on my mind

Beloved’s Oasis

Reflect on this pool of love-
unconditional
unsolicited
unending

Trust these waters are safe-
unpolluted
unencumbering
uncompromised

This love is deep, so dive in-
unabashedly
unafraid
unashamed

Rest in the calm, gentle coolness -
unhurried
uninterrupted
understood

A Visit

Age-stained hands
Wobbly legs
I wish you could walk with me
Oh Gray Whisp

Imprisoned mind
Frightened eyes
I wish you could understand me
Oh Gray Whisp

Quivering lips
Tangled tongue
I wish you could talk with me
Oh Gray Whisp

Shining light
Breath of Life
Jesus comes to set you free
Oh Gray Whisp