Cross-Post: Duggars, Children, and Loss
The news is spreading about the loss of the Duggar family's twentieth child. Some people are saying some pretty cold and nasty things out there. One thing that I'm wondering: does it make the loss of a child any less of a loss of life just because we may or may not agree with a person's reproductive beliefs/practices?
What makes the loss of this child any less a loss because they were number twenty rather than number two and subject to vile statements of total disregard for the grief that this family is suffering right now?
Are we supposed to lack normal human decency and compassion just because we can't grasp children as a blessing or have faith that Heavenly Father takes care of His own?
If most of us look back in our family trees we will see at least sixteen great-great-grandparents were there at some point otherwise we wouldn't be in existence. I have never heard, in all of my forty-six years, anyone say upon the death of a grandparent "Well, you shouldn't have had so many grandparents in the first place. You didn't need that one." Nobody says that, yet they think it is perfectly fine to make such comments upon the loss of a child, like any of the others will cover the loss of the one.
It just totally dumbfounds me that people can be so heartless and cruel and solely because they don't think that people should have more than one or two children.
I would like to suggest that, in spite of differences in beliefs over reproduction, we see this for what it is: the loss of a child. Plain and simple, the death of a loved one. I would like to ask that we all keep this family in our prayers for comfort during their time of grief as well as for the compassion for mankind that our Heavenly Father calls us to have.
Day 164 of One Thousand Gifts
What I am thankful for today:
...the children that Heavenly Father has allowed me to have and for those awaiting me in Heaven.
...those that have shown compassion to me during my times of grief.
...those that stand by their convictions in the face of objections.
...a full calendar where two days ago were blanks.
...the new year soon to come.
...the rain and cooler weather that we've had lately.
...varying perspectives to help me make the right decision in any given situation.
This blog will be for sharing whatever is on my mind at the moment. One day it might be about a book or a recipe that I have enjoyed-or didn't! Another day, it could be about hopes and dreams, family antics, or genealogy how-to ideas. It will be randomly random, as in some posts will be "this day of the week fun" and others will be just whatever is on my mind at the time. I look forward to your comments.
Amen. The way people express their hatred on this topic is so disgusting. It is sad proof of the disregard our society has for precious little lives. I want to kick and scream and call them all sorts of names, but then I remember, "...we wrestle not against flesh and blood..." Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agreed. Every loss is terrible. :(
ReplyDeleteEvery child is a gift from God, and the loss of one is a grievous thing.
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