Written by Ken Mitten
Yesterday I began talking about
covenants we enter into with God. Oaths that we take.
This weekend I had the honor, as I
have for the last six years, to take part in St. Jude's annual Day
of Remembrance event. The parents and siblings of patients who have
died over the last two years are invited back to St. Jude. There is
a reception on Friday, where photos and other personal memorabilia
are displayed. Saturday morning is a parent panel discussion,
moderated by, this year, myself and another colleague. The parents
on the panel have at least three years distance from the death
of their child and questions are solicited from the other
parents, There is a 30-minute break designed to help parents
connect with one another and then the second part of the panel
discussion which ends with viewing a video of St. Jude staff
talking openly about how they have been changed by working with the
precious children and families of St. Jude. We then eat lunch
together and then convene in an auditorium for a memorial service
for the children who have died. The day ends with a symbolic
balloon release (one for each child) outside.
During the memorial service I
usually stand at the back of the auditorium and lean against the
wall. It provides me a measure of privacy, particularly during what
I refer to as the "roll call", which is a slide show of the
children. Their photos have been arranged in alphabetical order and
a slide with each child's photo and printed name stays on screen
for about six seconds or so, until another one pops up. At
one point I became aware of a couple and their two children sitting
on the back row. The man was tending to his son and his wife
was taking care of their daughter. Their kids were too young to
stay focused on the screen and were both doing things that
distracted throughout (as children will do). At one point,
a photo of a child I was not familiar with, appeared on
the screen, just as it did, the man on the back
row raised his arm with an open hand.
He was giving the glory to
God. I do not know this family's story/or religious beliefs
or commitment but I am certain that this man was praising the
Lord.
Talk about a challenge to a
covenant. I love and trust you my Lord with all my
heart!
Your seven year-old daughter dies
of cancer. Think of the doubt and anger and questions that bubble
to the top of your life when this happens.
Up shot his hand. Like he was in
church. Like he was worshipping and praising his Heavenly
Father.
I believe that he
was.
-K
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Ministries 
