I'm sure glad it's alright to ask "Why?" at times like this.  Because the tragic death of so many children causes that question to rattle around inside the head of this old grandpa.  But Job asked why.  And so did David.  And even Jesus asked why- "My God, my God, WHY have you forsaken me?"  So, I'll not allow myself to feel guilty for asking it.  I guess as long as we live in a war-torn, disease-ravaged, catatrophe-prone world, we will be asking that question occasionally.  This is one of those times.

And I realize that some folks at such times as these shake their fists at the heavens saying basically, "I could do a better job of running this world than Whoever may/or may not be out there!"  I can't do that.  At these kinds of times, I desperately need to be able to spend time with Someone- a Father- One who understands what it's like to see a son- an only son- die.  AND I desperately need to believe that those babies, those precious children, were able to run right into a pair of big, strong, loving arms for a warm embrace at the very instant they needed it most.  And if I allow such times as these to cause me to sacrifice my faith on the altar of suffering, I lose not only the children- I lose everything.

So, even without answers to the why questions, I choose to remain close to the Eternal Who who promises never to leave us or forsake us- Who pledges to meet us precisely at the point of our deepest sorrow- Who says that He will catch our tears in His jar.  Calvary screams that He meets us in moments of most intense suffering.  The Empty Tomb shouts that this disease-ravaged, war-torn, catastrophe-prone world is not home.  Lord, I believe.  Please help my unbelief.  Come Lord Jesus!