H/T Larry Mortland
We often have no idea what to say in the face of senseless loss. That is especially true when children are the victims of tragedy. Today's shooting in Connecticut is heartbreaking in so many ways, not the least of which is the staggering loss of children.
My first two years in ministry were spent as a chaplain assigned to the emergency department of a children's hospital with a level one trauma center. During that ministry I saw so many senseless tragedies. I also heard some of the worst theology of my life coming from people who thought they were bringing comfort to the parents. More often than not, they weren't. And often, they made the situation worse.
Here are five things not to say to grieving family and friends:
1. "God just needed another angel."
Portraying God as someone who arbitrarily kills kids to fill celestial openings is neither faithful to God, nor helpful to grieving parents.
2. "Thank goodness you have other children," or, "You're young. You can have more kids."
Children are not interchangeable or replaceable. The loss of a child will always be a loss, no matter how many other children a parent has or will have.
3. He/she was just on loan to you from God.
The message is that God is so capricious that God will break parents' hearts at will just because God can. It also communicates to parents and loved ones that they are not really entitled to their grief.
4. God doesn't give you more than you can handle.
Actually, some people do get a lot more than any one person should ever have to handle. And it doesn't come from God. Don't trivialize someone's grief with a "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" mentality.
5. We may not understand it, but this was God's will.
Unless you are God, don't use this line.
And here are five things to say:
1. I don't believe God wanted this or willed it.
A grieving friend or family member is likely hearing that this is God's will from a number of other people. Affirm the idea that it may very well not be.
2. It's okay to be angry, and I'm a safe person for you express that anger to if you need it.
Anger is an essential part of the grieving process, but many don't know where to talk about it because they are often silenced by others when they express their feelings. (For instance, they may be told they have no right to be angry at God.) By saying you are a safe person to share all feelings, including anger, with, you help the grieving person know where they can turn.
3. It's not okay.
It seems so obvious, but sometimes this doesn't get said. Sometimes the pieces don't fit. Sometimes nothing works out right. And sometimes there is no way to fix it. Naming it can be helpful for some because it lets them know you won't sugarcoat their grief.
4. I don't know why this happened.
When trauma happens, the shock and emotion comes first. But not long after comes our human need to try to explain "why?" The reality is that often we cannot. The grieving person will likely have heard a lot of theories about why a trauma occurred. Sometimes it's best not to add to the chorus, but to just acknowledge what you do not know.
5. I can't imagine what you are going through, but I am here to support you in whatever way feels best.
Even if you have faced a similar loss, remember that each loss is different. Saying "I know how you're feeling" is often untrue. Instead, ask how the grieving person is feeling. And then ask what you can do to help. Then, do it and respect the boundaries around what they don't want help with at this point. You will be putting some control back into the hands of the grieving person, who often feels like they have lost so much of it.
Replies
We are fortunate that in Modern times, in America, your friend's loss is unusual.
Only a century ago, without vaccines, without antibiotics, the majority of families lost at least one child from disease.
I mention this not to minimize your friend's loss, but to emphasise how much most of us have to be thankful for.
And to never take the sufferings of our ancestors for granted.
Although I agree that this is not the time to say "You're young. You can have more kids", having another child, in time, that is a very good idea.
Although the murdered innocent will never be forgotten, one's heart will open up to the new life, and be consoled.
We lost an infant son in 1983. Some friends attempted to make us feel better by saying that we, at least, had other, healthy, children. Although we thought that we should be offended by that sentiment, it, oddly, brought some solace. The point is that each situation is different from any and all others.
We had three more children after that, for a total of eight.
God rest you merry, gentleman Brian.
Here's one thing that is almost always forgotten. I learned it the hard way in WW2. They're planning an end for us and warn your kids to get them involved in defending themselves. Teach them now.
Have any of you read the letter of Abraham Lincoln to a mother who lost 5 sons in war between the states,it is an example of a letter written in perfect English, but the words he used could not be used in this insane massacre of these innocent children. This is so sad for this to happen in America.
4. God doesn't give you more than you can handle.
This one pisses me off to no end! My Traumatic Brain Injured husband (16+ yrs) now has dementia, starting about 5-6 yrs ago. This past year he has been more angry and out of control with inappropriate behavior. It has been extremely tough on me....to the point my health's downward spiral almost put me in the hospital. When I tried to explain why I wasn't in Church (no caregiver for Sunday) and explain his dementia behavior, I would get "God doesn't give you more than you can handle!" I'm a tough person generally, but yes, it was more than I could handle....I lost a good 10 months of my life!