04/11/13

Q7: Why did my cousin have to die so young? (The cousin was killed in a freak sporting accident.)

I remember to this day the girl who asked me this question and I shall never forget her. A lovely girl whom I would be glad to welcome into any of my family gatherings...or just be on her Christmas card list. Very kind and good and I believe would never hurt anyone. Why? She knows what pain and anguish of heart is like...and would never inflict it on anyone.

I also get many pleas as to “WHY?” :“…that driver killed my son”…and many similar questions…from innocent, hurting people.

I consider the cousin question the ‘Mt. Everest’ of all questions. One cannot climb Mt Everest alone – you need help – and the help I need to answer this one, I believe rests with God alone.   A thoughtless quick answer can hurt more than the loss of the cousin…stay away from quick answers.

So can God help me to answer this one? No, not directly today, but I believe the Bible has something of an answer. Jesus said: “Just so, it is not my Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew Chapter 18:v.10. Please note that God regards those people under 20 years old to be not able to truly judge good and evil thinking, so are considered children.(Numbers Chapter 32 and verses 9-13) I believe that all children are considered innocent and go to heaven.

I have read of angels rescuing children and then vanishing and I know of ‘co-incidences’ for good that can only be explained as a miracle. (I have one of my own where a reversing tractor could have run over me but did not.) But not in every case and I know not why! It baffles me a bit. When Jesus was on the earth He left many people unhealed – and went to other villages to tell the story of His ‘Good News’ and eternal life. This I do know: I have worked as a teacher in ‘Special Education’ for children with disabilities. Mostly the parents were more kind, more giving and more caring to other people; and added up, that makes this world a much better place. I think the same applies to the families of those who have suffered the pain of the loss of a family member. Is this one of the ways God uses to spread kindness? I think “Yes.”

The untimely death of a child in an awful thing. And Jesus does not allow us to know everything…I think that would be too heavy a load to carry. I believe that in heaven all the unexplained things we carry will be explained. I am looking forward to that because in 1968 my family had a four-year-old member die of cancer – and children still die of cancer today. But many cures are being discovered for sicknesses of many sorts. 

It is all a puzzle to understand…but be assured, your cousin will be waiting in heaven for you. 

Added in 2020 by ‘theanswerer’ now 88 yo.

With deaths and injuries we need to remember that God placed within us the need to, and the pleasure in doing things, like playing sport, flying in the air, taking big and small boats across the oceans, driving cars and even climbing Mount Everest. All of them can hurt us but we choose to play sport, drive cars and the answerer thinks this is stupid – climb Mt Everest.

I write this is stupid, because Edmund Hillary and his helper the Tibetan Sherpa, Tensing Norgay did it first and were very wise and both came home safely. Many are not wise but have the money to pay Sherpas to help them get to the top.

The www say that 250 people have died on Mt.Everest since Edmond Hillary and Tensing Norgay did it in 1953. Why they went I know not!! Always have fun and enjoy sport but take care.

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The Answerer

The Answerer - Peter Harris, answered children's questions from his many years of teaching "Scripture" classes.
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