Prayer of the Innocent

I recently came in contact with an angel.  She was a baby born with a severe physical disorder.  This disorder not only will make it difficult, but also extremely painful for her to live.  This malady would have been difficult to deal with under any familial circumstances, but hers are particularly troublesome.  She has been born into a family that is about the furthest from the ideal two parent financially stable home.  That is not to say that her family doesn't love her or welcome her, it is just that the infrastructure of an ideal family is just not there.  I was affected by this baby more than I have ever been affected by anyone before.  At the hospital and on the way home I alternated between angry and depressed just thinking about the plight of this poor innocent child.  I thought to myself "wouldn't it be more merciful for this angel to return to her Father rather than suffer the pain that she will inevitably face here?"  I was angry at modern medicine and a little at God Himself.  I then put myself in her shoes and my whole perspective changed.

Prayer of the Innocent

I see you over there weeping and I know the reason why

Just seeing me in this agony is causing you to cry

Before you reach for your pity

let me explain to you

I've only just arrived and there's something I need to do

You see I was with my Father

 not too long ago

He said, my child you have done so well, you really needn't go

There's plenty of room in my Kingdom

 for spirits such as you

A body is all that you need to fulfill what all must do

However, He said, I must tell you, there are those not doing so well

On Earth those you love are struggling and dealing with personal Hell

"Father" I started to plead, "There must be something that I can do."

"How can I help my family on their journey back to You?"

Your elder Brother once asked Me the same thing

And He has shown the way

For everyone who will, can return to Me some day.

His sacrifice was so costly, he suffered more than you know

But it was His choice to offer it, He said that He would go

My child you know that I love you

And your brothers and sisters too

I'll let you follow His example and go to their rescue

Even though seeing you suffer will hurt me more than it will hurt you

So that is why I am here today

That's why I was born this way

Don't wish for me to depart from you

Until my work is through

My only prayer is that my sacrifice will not be in vain

Don't make a mockery of my pain

I'll teach you as much as I can while I'm here

But the rest is up to you

When I was wishing for a quick end of this little angel's suffering, I was experiencing one half of eternal perspective.  I was missing the other one.  What I did not realize is that this little angel was not a victim, but a powerful, valiant spirit who was accomplishing her mission in life.  To do what she needs to do will require suffering that I could not fathom, but she knew it was worth it before she came.  She chose to be here, so the least we all can do is respect the mission that she came here with and help her accomplish it in any way we can.  Even this child's suffering will be "but a small moment" and if her pain can serve as a catalyst to heal her family, then "how great shall be [her] joy with them in the kingdom of [our] Father."  God has a plan for all of us.  How grateful I am for angels who daily teach us what it means to be selfless and Christlike.  I only hope that we can all learn the lessons from these precious angels among us.