Day 7...death, chidlren and flying fish

I've got two kids and we've gone through a number of Goldfish. The first time one of them died I was frantic.

I'm a dad.

The last thing a dad ever wants to see is the heart of his little girl in shards, especially over something he can't control.

The fish died while she was in school so I wrapped him (?) in a paper towel, dutifully scoured the house for a box and placed him in the fridge...them promptly sent a text to my wife if she somehow came across it.

I spent that day contemplating death, resurrection, God's care over creation, childhood grief and age-appropriate theology. Yes, all over a Goldfish.

My story-behind-the-story is three-fold;

1) When I was confronted by the reality of death as a child my parents were not prepared to offer the Hope we have in Christ.

2) Furthermore I witness first-hand the helplessness of watching my wife's heart break when I had to confront her (as she was coming out of anesthesia)  with the gut-wrenching reality that our son had died in childbirth.

3) I am a resident alien, and a follower of the only Death-Destroying God. 

Yes, a Goldfish brought on a wave of memory. I live in a foreign land where things die.

In my homeland, things live forever.

"I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”

 Revelation 21:4

The Resurrection is not a placebo for people who have experienced death and trauma.

It is a documented fact (with many witness outside of the Bible). It is proof par-excellence of God's control over death, and as such, over all of creation.

Last night as my wife and I sat on our kids' beds reading our nightly Bible story, singing  love songs to Jesus, and offering prayers for ourselves and others,  our youngest blurts out;

"I hope yellow (her fish) dies soon so he can go to heaven!"

This kid is a resident alien.

NB
I have come to understand that we all, who have suffered great loss live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It comes from living here. I have full awareness of this all, and I have been given deep, deep healing of memory. I still grieve, but not like those without Hope. My wife and I have even been given visions of our son, Samuel, in the glory of God. If you suffer, message me, I know of some great resources.