Grief After Losing My 4-Year-Old Daughter
Three months ago we lost our daughter Lily to a sudden heart condition. She was four years old, full of joy and light. I cannot sleep. I cannot pray. I just sit in her room and cry. My wife and I are barely functioning. The pain is unbearable. I do not understand how a loving God could take a child. Please pray for us.
Pastor's Response
Pastor Ruth Nakamura
Grief Ministry Director, Cornerstone Church
There are no words adequate for this loss. Little Lily. We receive her name as holy.
I will not offer you explanations today, because there are none that would ease this pain. What I will offer you is this: Jesus wept. When Lazarus died, the shortest verse in the Bible simply says "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). The Son of God, standing at the tomb of His friend, wept. He is weeping with you now.
Matthew 19:14 records Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Lily is with Jesus. This is not a platitude — this is the promise of Christ Himself.
Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." You are crushed. And He is closest to you in this very moment.
You said you cannot pray. That is okay. The Spirit intercedes for us "with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). When you sit in Lily's room and cry, those tears are your prayer.
Heavenly Father — we bring Lily's parents before You with broken hearts. Comfort them with a comfort that only You can give. And in Your mercy, let them sense, even faintly, the warmth of Lily's presence in Your arms. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Scripture References
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