A Song For Children Lost
A Song for Children Lost
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Matthew 19:14
When I was writing this, a horrible tragedy was being reported on the news. The innocent young children who lost their lives in a school shooting in Connecticut reminded me of the Amish school shooting in 2006 at Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. I often come across reports of the deaths of Amish children, including some killed in accidents with drunk drivers.
The Amish believe that God sets a child’s time of death soon after he or she is born. The following is “A Child’s Funeral Song” from the book Lieder Sammlung (“Song Collection”):
I was a little child
Born into this world;
But my hour of death
God has quickly sent.
I had nothing to say
About the world and its doings
I have in my days here
Needed nothing of that.
My most beloved father,
Who begot me into the world,
And my sweetheart mother,
Who has taken care of me,
These follow me to the grave,
With inward, heartfelt sighs;
Yet I was God’s gift,
Which He now takes to Himself.
He receives me up unto grace,
To an inheritance in His kingdom,
Death can not harm me,
I am like unto the angels;
My body shall live gain
In rest and eternal joy,
And soar with my soul
In great splendor, glory.
Farewell, my loved ones,
You father- and mother-hearts,
Why do you sorrow?
Forget this pain
It is very well with me,
I live in bliss and joy,
You shall see me again
There in God’s glory.
I am so thankful that because of Jesus we can look forward to eternity. Jesus loved the little children on earth, and He loves them—welcomes them—into heaven.
Even years after losing a child, parents remember and grieve. Send a note to let those parents know that you still care and remember. It will mean more than you can know.
Dear heavenly Father, I grieve for those who’ve lost a little one. May You bring Your sweet peace to those families, no matter how many years have passed.
From the book
