for mercy's sake

When little ones are life-threateningly ill, then everything else is put into perspective, and what seemed irritating, important or of-the-moment, assumes its rightful, insignificant place. The same is true of many events, though most of them pertain to the question of mortality. When someone in their 80's or 90's passes away, then it's sad, to be sure, but we have our own way of normalising it. They have 'had a good innings' or got to 'a ripe old age.' It was 'time to go.'

When the ailing one is only 4 years old, then there is no such normalising defence. They are just starting their life - dependent, developing, hardly out of nappies yet. It is a life at the brink of living it. There is nothing to say that is consoling. Every parent surely knows this fear. Nobody wants to outlive their child, certainly not by decades.

Little Gracie is sick with a brain tumour. It is inoperable. This week she starts radiography in the hope of shrinking it. Fortunately the local community has rallied. A benefit is planned. People are offering help. It is the least we can do when there is nothing that can be said. Nothing that makes any sense, that is.

And nightly I pray, for though I don't know God's mind on the matter, I know that He hears me.