Please God, Don’t Let My Daddy Die!
The day, May 9, 2012, started off normally, though there were a few more people in the Intensive Care Unit on the 3rd floor of the hospital. There were about 6 or 7 adults and 2 young children. The children were well behaved and quietly coloring pictures or working on small puzzles. Most of the adults appeared to be pensive and stricken with anxiety.
About ½ hour after the start of the afternoon shift in the intensive care waiting room the 2 children came over to the attendant asking for more crayons, papers to color and puzzles to work on. The two children, a 4 year old blonde girl and her 6 year old brown haired brother were bright eyed and attentive. Some of the bigger puzzles with nearly 500 pieces were more than they could handle, but they readily worked on those that were 30 to 100 pieces. They were careful not to lose any pieces and if they came across a straggler or two they would dutifully bring the pieces to the attendant.
After about 1½ hours the little girl just came over to talk to the attendant. In the course of the conversion she nearly whimpered, “I don’t want my Daddy to die!” The attendant was stunned and gently consoled the little girl. It would have been fruitless to tell her everything would be okay. We just don’t know about the turn of events in life.
The attendant quietly told the child “We can pray to God for help.” She replied in a soft voice, “Don’t pray for me; please pray for my Daddy.” “We most certainly will.” was the response of the attendant.
A little later much of the family was preparing to leave. A middle aged woman stopped by the desk and thanked the attendant for helping the kids. It was at first hard to figure out who the “daddy” was, but the woman said she was the grandmother and the little girl called her husband, grandpa (a man in his mid 40s), “Daddy”.
“Why daddy?” thought the attendant. The woman said softly that the little girl and boy had just lost their father in an act of violence and that they were now raising their grandchildren. Nana was certainly hoping and praying that her husband would recover from his ordeal.
Early the next day the new attendant at the desk told about the two kids who came over looking for the man who was there yesterday. They were sorry they did not see him again.
Life most certainly is full of its challenges and struggles for both young and old. We each grieve for all that happens to both the young and old.
We can though all look forward to the time of no more crying sorrow and tears. 1 Corinthians 15:54 “…So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (Isaiah 25:8) The Book of Revelation reveals in Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
What ever the outcome of this situation the little girl, her brother, Nana and the rest of the family will eventually find comfort, hope and solace.
Post Script (5/18/12): A little more than a week later the attendant was on duty again, but in a different location. He learned that the “Daddy” had been moved out of the intensive care unit. His condition had been upgraded and he no longer needed intensive care. He was now resting peacefully. With God there is comfort and hope!
Post Script#2 (5/24/12): The little girl pleadingly had asked for prayers for her “Daddy”, ““Don’t pray for me; please pray for my “Daddy”!” God is ready and willing to hear and answer-even the prayers of a little child. (Psalm 102:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, And let my cry come to You.) By 5/22/12 the little girl’s “Daddy” was well enough to be released from the hospital.
Further reading can be found at:
Why Does God Allow People to Suffer?
