Two new baby boys were born into my circles today.
One was born with grandmas and grandpas, aunties and uncles nearby and at the ready. Joy is sprinkled everywhere in that hospital room, I can assure you. I wouldn’t doubt that the only fisticuffs, and by that I mean petty comments and cross looks, come from greedy relatives waiting for their turn to rock a newborn.
The other baby came as a momentary break in grief. After the parents left for the hospital, this family’s toddler wondered into a pond and drowned. This day of tragedy will share a space on the calendar with another boy’s birthday. The marking of one life welcomed, another lost.
We live in such a dichotomous world. Dark and light, evil and good, life and death. The most profound of all joy in stark contrast to the depths sorrow. Honestly, I’ve been wrestling all day to reconcile how our human nature can withstand such extremes. My mind stretches to comprehend the experience of this young mother and father today, but my heart won’t let it go there. It hurts too much.
What can one say in response to such a day? I’ve got nothing. God’s promise wasn’t perfection, but presence. And so, may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ tonight.
That’s all I have.