Pastor's Corner

On Memorial Day we remember loved ones who have entered eternity before us.

We remember the love they had for their families and neighbors.

We remember the ways they made their communities better.

We remember their many valuable teachings.

Many of these, our forbearers, lived to a ripe old age.

Sadly, this past April saw the deaths of several Whitman County infants and toddlers.

It seems to us that these precious children of God, who did not get to live to a ripe old age, had no time to love and to teach others; and it seems they had no opportunity to make their communities better.

In our grief, it is easy to miss the fact that these children did in fact teach us a great many things in the few months or years during which they were a precious part of our earthly lives.

Their important lessons continue to enrich our lives.

First, the incredibly tragic fate of these children reminds us that from the very moment of our birth we are old enough to die.

This valuable lesson means that we should live every day of our lives as if it were our last. No matter how many days we spend on earth, life is too good to waste a single day. Each of us needs to make our life matter. These children insist that we don’t spend our days on things that are destructive, hurtful or counter productive.

The second lesson is that of love. Young children love in the unconditional way that God loves each of us. They don’t say, “I’d love you if you were more attractive, lighter, wealthier, and more pleasant to be around…”

They just love us. Period. This is how each of us, no matter our age, should love: unconditionally and with absolutely no reservations.

Lesson three: “Gratitude.” Infants are a thankful lot. They are thankful for having been brought into the world and that we make them feel safe. They are thankful for times we held them and comforted them. They are thankful that we are a part of their lives.

Ours should be lives lived out of gratitude — just like a child’s.

Lesson four: “Forgiveness.” When is the last time you saw an infant hold a grudge? They live and let live, and they inherently know that it is difficult to fully live life’s lessons. It’s hard to make each day count. It’s hard to always love one another. It’s hard to always be thankful for all we have. And when those around them fail, they don’t wrinkle their noses and get all judgmental on them. They know that sometimes it takes a lifetime to learn all these lessons. And they know in their hearts that with God’s help all things are possible, and so they become our number one booster.

Please continue to keep these little ones in your prayers. Pray for those whose lives are even now unfolding, and pray for those who now are at home in heaven. And keep the families of these little ones in your prayers as well. The lessons our children have for us are hard, and it is also achingly hard to let go of a precious loved one’s hand so that God can lift them up for all eternity.

Pastor Bob Ingalls,

Malden Community Congregational Church