Forever Love

Last Sunday was All Saint’s Day, a special time when we celebrate loved ones who died during the past year. A time to reflect, grieve and celebrate an earthly life ending, and the new beginning of life in Heaven.
 
As a young parent, the idea of having to talk to my child about death was daunting. I remember taking a walk with Emily and seeing a dead bird on the sidewalk. I made an immediate about face as I shielded her from the reality of this lifeless bird. Making death a normal and accepted part of life is easier said than done, when words are required to make meaning of death to children.
 
The Godly Play stories face this existential limit head on, including death as a normal part of the stories. The Old Testament stories that occur in the desert begin with talking about the dangers of the desert and that people die in the desert from exposure, getting lost, or running out of food or water. When Sarah dies in the desert, we bury the wooden shape representing Sarah under the sand as part of the story, and later Abraham joins her. It is only in facing and talking about death that we can understand all that heaven means to us, as we get to the stories of Jesus’ life and death.
 
But where do we begin in talking with our children about death? Often the death of a pet is the first encounter with the topic as evidenced during our group prayer at the end of class, when deceased pets are offered by the children for prayer. Helping children see a loved one’s transition to Heaven as a joyful event through the tears of grief, while still acknowledging the sadness felt by the earthly loss, begins the process.

Sometimes a death in the family is the first time for a child to see their parent shed tears. Reinforce for them (and ourselves) that our deceased loved one did not stop loving us when they left, they will love their family members forever, just as God loves us. And when overwhelmed with sad feelings, you can talk to Jesus about your feelings as he understands and will comfort us. Having a special place or item to remember a loved one may also bring closeness and comfort as well as new traditions such as celebrating “heavenly birthdays.”  And always remembering that your loving church family will wrap your family in love during this grief-filled time and walk alongside all of you in your grief.
 
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes: There shall be no more death, not sorrow, nor crying, and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.  ​Revelation 21:4
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Faithfully yours,
Christy Merritt
Director of Children’s Ministry