Asleep in my arms
I placed him gently, wiping
Frost from his casket
[See More Haiku at HaikuFromHell website.]
You can Google why prayers go unanswered and get vast lists of why God may not have answered your prayer. But doesn’t he have to go against his Word if he doesn’t answer our prayers? Should one go through these long lists before praying to see if they’re qualified at all to pray? It’s such a confusing religion.
My son, Ben, died at the age of three. Tomorrow is his birthday (12-8-1989). He was sick and suffered most of his short life. My family, friends, pastor, and our congregation continually prayed for him… to no avail.
“You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Matthew 21:22
vicleathers.blog 
Ben’s death…one of the saddest times of my life, Vic! All I remember at the funeral is my crying and crying and crying. I wanted to stop, but I couldn’t. Tomorrow, I will celebrate his life!
I remember, too, Taka…
Thoughts of Ben;
Holding him, he stops crying —
Is that a smile?
Nice, Taka! Thanks!
I read this post when you first published it and have been thinking about it and how to add a sensible comment ever since. Your short post with the Haiku struck a chord, a very personal one just as your experience from December 1989 was intensely personal too. How can a merciful god take an innocent child after allowing such suffering? That same question followed many prayers as my son died in December 1997, he was 22. So this is a painful month for us, maybe I sense it is the same for you, but this was part of causing my hesitation in commenting. As Buddhists (we did not pray to any god but our family certainly did) we can reflect on the wonderful 22 years we had with him, and continue to have with him as we visit old haunts and have him in our minds as we take morning walks on fine days. I hope you can do the same.
Thank you, Dr B. Yes, Decembers are sometimes challenging, but it gives me a chance to reflect on those three years of his life. I have much more compassion for parents, such as you, who have lost a child. His short life gave me a lifetime of meaning. I, too, feel his presence in nature while walking among mountain trails and smelling the beautiful pine trees. Thank you for your kind words. I’m thinking about you and your wife. Peace.
Thank you Vic. Mike died on Christmas Eve …… 🙏🕉
I just read your post, Dr. B. and can’t comprehend what you and your wife went through Dec. 24th, 1997. I agree…all you can do is reflect on the times you shared with Mike and think about him on morning walks and other thoughtful times. I feel deep sympathy for you and will think of you every year in December.
Thank you Taka, your compassion is a blessing to us 🙏🙏🕉