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.