Songs In The Night

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! – Isaiah 43:18-19a

Letters

Sometimes it is not so easy to forget the former things. In fact, it often seems downright impossible not to dwell on the past. Can we really push past memories into a vault and seal them in? Our pasts are filled with so many highs and lows that not only trigger emotional responses, but at a deeper level they greatly shape our character. How can they not?

A few weeks ago, our family experienced one of those dramatic life experiences that has dominated our thoughts and emotions. The loss of a loved one certainly has a way of dominating every aspect of your life for a season. Accordingly, the loss of baby Isaiah is something that we will think about and dwell on for a long time to come. In fact, we will never forget him.

For many of us, our memories will include the letters that Isaiah’s parents Daniel and Rebekah wrote to their beloved son. Letters that were shared at his graveside service. As I have contemplated these letters, I have wondered how a letter from Isaiah might read. Perhaps it might read something like this.

Mommy and Daddy,

Thank you for your love. Every moment of my awareness I felt it. From inside the womb I heard it spoken. The excitement in your voices when you first learned I was here was unmistakable. Every child wants to be wanted. Every child needs to be loved. Even before you could “feel” me, I could feel your love. I am sure it was contagious. Selfless love always is.

Thank you mommy for carrying me. You and daddy know that I am a gift from God. Wonderfully knit by Him in your womb, and ordained before the foundation of the world. I never was a mass of tissue. Nor could I ever be confused for anything as selfish as merely a “choice”. I will forever be your firstborn. Uniquely fashioned with the DNA of mommy and daddy. But more importantly, I was created in the image of My Heavenly Father.

Mommy, I know you miss feeling my kicks. Daddy, I know you miss feeling them as well, although they were less of an “inconvenience” to you. Even though it only lasted thirty-six weeks, what a special bonding time we had. You took me a lot of places, and “fed” me a lot of good foods. More importantly, you shared your excitement for me with so many family members and friends. There was no mistaking the thrill of expectation as I heard your conversations. Thank you for the experiences we shared together.

Thank you daddy for praying for me. As my protector, there is nothing more important you could have done for me than to pray for me. The fervency of your prayers was just another reminder of the depth of your love for me. I am proud to call you daddy.

Thank you also for providing for me. I know how hard each of you works to make sure the house is a home. Your preparations did not go unnoticed. I especially love the nursery. It is laid out so nice. The room is so “warm” and inviting with so much attention to detail. It is a beautiful reflection of my awesome parents. I have a lot of fond memories of the time mommy and I spent in there.

Mommy, you not only carried me well, but you delivered me well. You said that God had given you a task to complete. Thank you for obeying Him. I know how difficult it was to go through the long hours of pain, knowing that your effort would not be rewarded by my cry. But because of your love for me and the family, and most importantly your love for your Father, you endured the trial. In doing so you blessed me with the privilege of meeting a number of people I would not have otherwise been introduced to.

Once again, love ruled the day. Thank you.

Mommy and daddy, although things did not go the way you hoped, dreamed, or even planned, you showed everyone your true character. You loved on me and showed me off in a way every child dreams of. Your embraces and kisses spoke volumes of the loving people that you are. I can’t put into words how good it felt to be held by each of you.

Unfortunately, the time came when you had to let me go. So it always is with those we love. A last embrace is always so difficult. We always wish for one more moment. But our time together on this earth was never meant to last forever.

When you let me go, you also said goodbye to so many hopes and dreams. Just like me, I know they are hard to let go of. All too often, our hopes and dreams exceed reality.

I will never sleep in the new nursery. Nor will I will ever hold the stuffed giraffe. Daddy will never play me the children’s records he bought, nor will I ever hear you read the books you stocked my “library” with. I will never swing in the backyard or play with my cousins. There are so many “new” things you wanted to share with me and forgetting them seems impossible.

But heed the advice of my namesake:

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! – Isaiah 43:18-19a

Mommy and daddy, just as death has been swallowed up in victory, the pain of our past is put into perspective by the promises of our Father. Promises not just for the future, but for the present. Promises sealed with a cruel cross and an empty tomb.

Keeping our eyes on God enables us to see things from an eternal perspective, which is what we always need to do. Especially when we are weighed down by the memories of past pains and trials, and saddened by buried dreams. Just as every earthly joy will be tempered with a memory of me, I hope that every earthly sorrow will be buoyed by eternal hope.

Here in heaven, everything is new, and always will be. There are no moths, nor is there any rust. Likewise, there is no threat of thieves to steal (Matthew 6:19). The streets of gold will never lose their luster and the foundation of precious stones will never accumulate dust. I will never shed a tear of sorrow, or be in want of food or water. Far from it.

The first sight my eyes beheld was the face of Jesus, and His scarred hands were the first to hold me. I am experiencing perfect love in a perfect home. A place prepared especially for me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience it.

Perhaps some day my siblings will use the nursery. In time the stuffed animals will become old and soiled. The swing set will eventually wear out. Likewise, the records and the books will succumb to age and wear. Such is the fate of the things of earth. They can only last so long because of the presence of sin. Not so in Heaven.

I can’t wait until you join me here. When you do I am going to return the favor you bestowed upon me. I am going to love on you and show you off just as every child dreams of. Only here, we will never be separated again. In Heaven, reality exceeds our best hopes and dreams.

Until then, just remember that I love you with a love beyond your comprehension. A love untainted by sin. A love more like the love of Jesus that you introduced me to as best as you could with the time we had.

With eternal love,

Isaiah

P.S. Jesus wanted me to share these reminders with you.

¹³ So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:5