Angels

A little angel that I know passed away on Saturday.  He and his family will never really know how they have strengthened me and blessed my family.  I see many many tender mercies from my Heavenly Father and he was certainly one of those.  For so many reasons I'm sad for the empty feelings their family must feel and for so many reasons I'm happy that their family really knows and understands God's plan for each of us.  Just ten short years they got to teach and guide...then learn and be mentored by such a perfect spirit. 

I admit that as I sing "I Am a Child of God" to my own eight year old daughter that I'm mostly thinking of how I can "lead and guide" her.  Every so often I reflect on how she is really "leading and guiding" me and "helping me to find the way." This weekend has certainly been one of reflection and knowing that it is this young boy and my own daughter that I need to keep up with.  Knowing that God is in charge and has a specific plan for each one of us.

I sat to read my scriptures through tears last night.  I just picked up where I had left off the day before.  I read a bit and then came to:

      "But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;
     Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me;
     For it is given unto them even as I will, according to mine own pleasure, that great things may be required at the hand of their fathers.
    And, again, I say unto you, that whoso having knowledge, have I not commanded to repent?
    And he that hath no understanding, it remaineth in me to do according as it is written."  Doctrine & Covenants 29:46-50

It's no coincidence that those words were there for me.  Justin and I read them together.  We sat and just felt together all the tender mercies of our daughter, our life of special needs, our life with our other two children, the friends and people we know because of our daughter.  We love, really love how blessed we are to have the life we do. 

There are angels all around us and this sweet, pure boy that is now in our Heavenly Fathers care is free of pain and mortal difficulties.  I know it is no coincidence that our path has crossed with his and with his family's.