A Father's Trust

A couple of days ago, the tragedy of an infant death happened within Vern's extended family. Since then, I can hardly look at my own children without pondering on the wonders of motherhood and the sorrows of losing a child.
I recently read a book that described our acceptance of our earthly life in a way I had never before considered. I suppose that I had always envisioned a mass acceptance of the Father's Plan and our subsequent Earth life (similar to the sustaining of leaders). But this book portrayed it more like a very detailed (and individualized) mission call. As if the Father, in his all knowing way, took each of us one by one and sketched out exactly what this life may entail for us individually. He did not sugar coat it to convince us to come. He told us outright of the pain, as well as the joy, that our individual lives may include.
We knew we would have to suffer through much sorrow and heartache if we accepted His plan...and yet we still said "yes". We still chose to come. We knew that He had faith in us, and so we had faith in ourselves- faith that we could over come the sorrows and the pain. Faith that we could win (regardless the obstacles).
The loss of a child may just be one of the greatest obstacles of pain that the Lord will ever throw in our paths. To hold them, to love them and then to be forced to let them go...it is an unimaginable pain. But there is still hope.
I feel strongly that those spirits who are taken early from this earth are those who do not need the trials the rest of us may face. They do not need to be tested- they are already the Best of the Best. And what a testament of faith in one's abilities that the Lord would entrust one of His BEST to them- what a privilege to have raised and loved one of the Lord's most faithful servants. To have had them in your home, to have had them in your heart. They were yours- as they still continue to be.
And what a divine testament to the strength of these mothers who have loved and lost. I am convinced that the Lord believes them the strongest of us all to have faced one of his greatest obstacles...and to make it though. He has given His daughters more strength, more determination, more love than I think we realize. All the tools we need to make it back to Him- regardless of what comes.