Okay, here's the next installment of letters to God by Lily Newsom:

October 29, 2011

Dear God,

How come you took my puppy away! He was just a little Chihuahua! And you took him away! He could have changed his name from Artie Smartie to something cool, like Shredder for all I know. How could you do this to us! It'll be years before I see him again.

Sarah E.

October 30, 2011

Dear Sarah,

I'm sorry I took Artie Smartie. But he was sick and if I didn't take him, he would be in pain right now. He is right here in front of me. He didn't change his name. He likes Artie Smartie. I have enclosed a picture of him.

I hope you like it!

Love, God

How do we respond when a loved one is taken from us?  Is it God's fault that people (or pets) die?  Does God want to take loved ones away from us?  Why didn't God prevent us from having to go through that loss?  These are questions we've all probably wrestled with from time to time.  I know I sure have.  The truth is I really don't have answers to these questions.  I do know that God wants the best for all of us.  Sometimes we don't understand God's plan or how some tagedy we go through is for the best for all.  Sometimes we don't understand why things happen the way they do.

What we do know, however, is that God is with us in the midst of our tragedies and struggles.  God will never leave us nor forsake us, as scripture tells us.  So when we face loss we might not understand it but we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us and will never leave us.  For me, personally, that knowledge is the only way I have been able to get through some of the struggles and losses I have had to face in my life.  Those tough times are sometimes the times we see and feel God more than any other times.  God-sightings truly are more obvious when we need God most, aren't they?

May God bless you and keep you.  May you never forget God's great love for you and his presence in your life no matter what you must face. 

In Christ,
Scott

Romans 8:28