Their place is quiet, already remembering them no more. Cries, questions, laughter – silence. Their room is more like a tomb, their bed a vacant bier. Well-meant flowers are not beautiful, comforting words barely heard. Sleep for the living is uneasy, hard to come by, not refreshing. Why, Lord, have you done this? We can trace his answer in Scripture. He loves his little ones. As soon as he said “seed” to Adam and Eve, children were front and center; his Son w

Within our fallen soul, ingratitude is a deeply buried seed. If we have plenty, we want more. If we have daily bread, we want it for the next twenty years, all stored up, on pretty plates that we prefer. Curated consumerism is the dissatisfied dead-end of our ingratitude – life on our terms, a buffet with only our favorite dishes, and more of the same tomorrow. Yet, when it comes to “thank you,” the soul’s throat is as dry as dust. What does it take for the soul to feel and

The precious phrase “means of grace” is defined well by our Shorter Catechism: “The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.” Means of grace are ways the Lord has given to us so that we may grow in him and enjoy the salvation he has purchased for us. The Christian life is not a frustrated