Why?

*I couldn't let May go by completely without a post on this blog, so while I was thinking of what to post I got to skimming through some friends' blogs. When I read this post on Jennifer's blog about the sudden death of one their sweet little babies, I knew instantly what I wanted to post: this poem I wrote a couple years ago. And while I'm thinking about it, please pray for Jennifer and the other staff, children, etc. at the three Casas de Amor in Bolivia.*

Deep in our hearts, Lord, there echoes a “why?”—
Why do so many loved babies die?
Day after day we see walking along
Mothers who chose to cut short a life’s song.

Yet we, in a heartbeat, would take in each one,
Shelter them, love them ‘til long life is done.
But in that same heartbeat the child of our love
Is taken from our arms to Yours up above.

And all that seems left when the nightmare is o’er
Is a heart full of questions, asking, “Why us, dear Lord?”
Yet night after night no answer we find
To quiet the questions that race through our minds.

Father, fill our hearts with Your peace and grace;
Help us endure what we cannot embrace;
Help us to trust You whatever the cost,
Though our arms ache to hold the dear baby we lost.