"Dear God, It’s Me, Nathaniel"
By Elizabeth M. Thompson
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
Today my Daddy told me that Grandpa is sick.
He is not feeling too good.
Would you please heal him and help him to feel better again so we can play with our train set?
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
My Grandpa is still sick.
Daddy said Grandpa has to go see the doctor.
Would you please help my Grandpa to feel better?
Please help the doctor to know what to do.
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
Daddy told me today that Grandpa has cancer.
I don’t know what cancer is or why my Grandpa has it.
Daddy is sad. Would you please heal my Grandpa and help him to feel better?
And would you help my Daddy to not feel sad?
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
I saw Grandpa today.
He was very tired.
He didn’t want to play with my trains.
He didn’t even want to sing songs.
He just wanted to hold my hand.
Would you please heal my Grandpa so we can play together soon?
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
Today my Grandpa went into the hospital.
Why does he have to go to the hospital, God?
My Daddy says Grandpa may have to stay there awhile.
Would you please heal my Grandpa so he can be home?
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
Today I went to the hospital to see my Grandpa.
He looked different.
His eyes were the same as always.
But he looked smaller.
He was quiet.
I was scared.
I didn’t know what to do.
God, would you please heal my Grandpa.
I love him so much.
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
Today my Daddy told me that Grandpa is dying.
My cat died last year and I still miss her.
I don’t want my Grandpa to die.
Isn’t there anything you can do to stop him from dying?
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
My Grandpa is going home today.
A nice nurse named Sarah is going to take care of him at home.
I am glad he is going home.
Daddy doesn’t look glad though. Today I saw him crying.
God, would you please heal my Grandpa.
We like to play with trains together.
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
My Grandpa is still dying, Daddy told me today.
We went to see Grandpa at home.
He didn’t play with me or talk to me.
He opened his eyes, but he still didn’t talk.
Would you please heal my Grandpa and help him to feel better?
Amen
Dear God,
It’s me, Nathaniel.
Today my Grandpa died.
Daddy said he is not coming back.
Daddy told me that Grandpa is with you now.
He told me that Grandpa is with you in heaven.
He told me that in heaven, Grandpa is healed.
Grandpa is not sick anymore.
God, would you please tell Grandpa that I love him and miss him very much?
Would you please tell him that we all miss him and love him?
Oh, and God, thank you for healing my Grandpa and making him feel better.
Amen
This piece was originally published in Whispering in God's Ear (WaterBrook Press 2005). It was written from the prayers, hopes and fears of my son in the midst of one of our family's greatest losses.
