Sunday, May 10, 2009

I have this picture in a collection of Cemetery art that I have captured off the Internet, and when I read this piece by Samuel Rutherford I thought it the perfect match. Of all the counsel I have ever heard to a grieving parent who has lost a child, I think this is about the only thing that may bring some comfort.

  "But what! do you think her lost, when she is but sleeping in the bosom of the Almighty? Think her not absent who is in such a friend's house. Is she lost to you who is found to Christ? If she were with a dear friend, although you should never see her again, your care for her would be but small. Oh now, is she not with a dear friend, and gone higher, upon a certain hope that you shall in the resurrection see her again, when (be you sure) she shall neither be hectic nor consumed in body!...... Now your daughter was a part of yourself; and therefore nature in you, being, as it were, cut and halved, will indeed be grieved; but you have to rejoice, that when a part of you is on earth, a great part of you is glorified in heaven." A letter to a friend April 23, 1628

6 comments:

Mel said...

That is beautiful. I'm going to remember this to share with grieving friends. I'm so grateful, evermoreso, for the treasure trove of truth and love that is your blog!

FCB said...

Hi Mel,
Glad you liked this one, a bit melancholy, but the longer you live the more people you know that have lost a loved one. Samuel Rutherford wrote this and many other letters while in prison for his faith. Good stuff,
Fred

MaryMGlynn said...

This picture says many things and when losing a child its like your soul is ripped apart. You eventually find comfort in knowing your child is with God our creator, but at first it stings. Your heart says there is no better place for your child to be accept in your arms, but with grief you learn to trust God and know that HE knows the future, our lives etc.. The photo portraying the mom in grief is so true. Good photo!

FCB said...

Hi Mary,
I thought this would resonate deeply with you. This sculpture certainly captures the emotions.
God bless you Mary,
Fred

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred:)

Very consoling, very profound thoughts.

It is very difficult to console grieving parents who have lost a child and these words would surely give them some peace and comfort.

I have a small grouse against this artist. How is it that it is shown that the mother is the only person who grieves at the loss of a child and the father is not even there?

Have a nice day Fred:)
Joseph

FCB said...

Hi Joseph,
Interesting point about the sculpture. Not that unusual either. One can only speculate, I can certainly relate to the pathos of the sculpture, and can only imagine the loss of a child.
God bless,
Fred