Dealing with the death of a child

In "The Good and Beautiful God," author James Bryan Smith shares his reflections on his daughter Madeline's death:

My mind went over the last few years, thinking about the pain of hearing the news from the doctors, the countless sleepless nights on hospital floors, and the dark and rainy day we placed her body in the earth. I turned to God and said, without thinking, 'Maybe it would have been better if she had never been born.'

That was when I received one of the clearest experiences of God responding to me that I've ever had in my life. On this day, at that moment, a little voice penetrated my mind, the voice of a little girl, a voice I had never heard but immediately recognized as Madeline's. 'Daddy, you should never say that. If I had never been born, I would not be here now. I am so happy here in heaven, and one day you and Mom and Jacob will come and see me, and we will live forever together. And there is more good that has happened because of me that you can't see now but will one day understand.'

I immediately repented of my despicable thoughts and crumpled to the ground in tears. I was thankful to hear such words.

There is always the promise of heaven.