When Death Comes Early

Death in old age, whilst still leaving sorrow in its wake, seems reasonable. We reflect on lives well lived, a ‘good innings’ in cricketing terms. 

Sometimes though it seems to arrive too early. When a young person dies, when parents have to bury their child and there is an empty seat at the table; it is more difficult to process. 

I heard a story once about just such an incident where a 17 year old girl died. She was beautiful, clever, a joy to be around, loved by all, God-fearing and virtuous with what seemed a bright future ahead of her. But her life was snatched away in a heartbeat, in a fatal accident. 

Everyone was devastated by the loss, especially her mother. She was heartbroken and despite being a firm devout believer, she couldn’t let go. It is seldom that God answers the question ‘Why?’ 

In this instance though He gave her a rather wonderful favour and consolation. Her daughter visited her in a very vivid dream. She appeared to her more beautiful than ever before and told her that she was now with God. Then she explained to her the reason she had been taken so early. The time she died was the last point at which she would have gone to heaven. Had she lived beyond that time she would have taken decisions which would have led her down an entirely different path and her immortal soul would have been lost. This way she was saved and they would see each other again. 

This transformed the Mother’s view entirely; she could rejoice now in the knowledge that her daughter was safe, happy and that they would meet again. 

We don’t see as God sees; only He has the big picture and we can trust Him to deliver everything on time in our best interests as we are united to Him in life, in prayer, in surrender and in trust. If we can apply the same belief to our sometimes unanswered prayers, then we can avoid frustration and instead redirect any disappointments into thanksgiving for whatever disaster was averted and little by little our prayers will converge with His wishes and we can remain in the flow of His spirit.