In Tears

AM Psalm [70], 71 • PM Psalm 74
Gen. 42:29-38 • 1 Cor. 6:12-20 • Mark 4:21-34

When a child is taken from us we make proclamations to God such as “do not take another from me” and “I have already given up one child.” This is what we see in Genesis where Jacob had already lost one son, his favorite, Joseph, who was living now, unknown to Jacob, in Egypt. Joseph had become indispensible to Pharaoh because he could foretell the dream of the coming famine.

“Now the famine was severe,” the Bible says, and Jacob was tested. As the famine continued Jacob sent his other sons to buy grain in Egypt. But he refused to send his youngest son, Benjamin, with the rest of his sons as he was requested to do by Joseph. He has a perfectly logical explanation. He tells his sons: “For his brother is dead and he only (Benjamin) is left. If harm should befall him on the journey that you are to make you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow....” What parent has not thought this?

As a parent who has lost a child I have no answer to make except to wonder at it all. When pain fell on me, I found it increasingly possible to have love for others, to know she would have love for them, to see our daughter in them all.

Written by Rebecca Newth

Rebecca Newth is a lay reader and sings in the choir.