Sympathy

Dear Lord, one precious baby there with You belongs to me—
A perfect, tiny wonder whom I long so much to see.
So recently within my life my baby took a part;
And yet, my baby holds so large a place within my heart.

Today that place is empty—just a memory is there
Of sweet anticipation of a life I’d hoped to share.
‘Twas You Who took my baby home to be with You above;
Please may my empty, broken heart find comfort in Your love.

Remind me, in my loss, the child I love feels only gain—
For You saw fit to spare my child from sorrow, fear, and pain.
No tragedy will ever fall upon this little life,
No lonely moments, no distress from unkind words or strife.

Nor shall my baby ever feel the struggle from within,
For in my baby’s heart today there’s not a trace of sin.
Oh, loving Lord, Who chose to spare my child from all of this,
When heavy is my heart, just let me glimpse my baby’s bliss.

And may I joy in knowing that my baby is with You--
For living in your presence is what I, too, long to do!
So from this day, may this my new anticipation be:
One day I’ll see my baby who went home ahead of me!

May the comfort of God turn your sorrow to hope!

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. –I Corinthians 15:19-20

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. –I Corinthians 15:54

As the sun sets here, it rises somewhere else.
So the end of time on earth is the beginning of eternity in Heaven.

Beside the casket of the one we love we stand today,
While loving memories fill our thoughts and prompt our hearts to say,
“No words could tell our heartache as you drew your final breath;
Our heads are bowed in loneliness and sorrow by your death.
Yet comfort grows as we recall that death has lost its sting,
For death has carried you to Christ, redemption’s song to sing!
And oh, the joy your heart must hold! What must that moment be,
When wondering eyes are lifted up, the Saviour’s face to see!
How glorious to feel the loving touch of His embrace,
To kneel at His majestic throne and thank Him for His grace!
These thoughts, like sunbeams through the clouds, our hearts with joy renew,
For though we sorrow for ourselves . . . we can’t be sad for you!”

May your personal loss be lessened by thoughts of your loved one’s gain.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:23

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? I Corinthians 15:54-55