In Memory of Declan Stewart

A little boy died this morning.
While we were getting ready for church-
showering, blow drying hair, shaving, and other such Sunday cares,
His soul was fleeing this earth on angels' wings.
God's messengers had been in dread for this call,
So they were prepared and already winging their way
As the last syllable of God's command left His throne room.
His heavenly Father called him home because no child of God's should endure what he endured.
God is not blind to the suffering of even the littlest lamb.


Had God tarried too long? To some of us left behind: Yes!
Do we want him back? Yes! But only if the beatings stop.
But God's Word assures us that God is in control of time,
That none of the tears this little boy cried fell in vain.
God saved each one in a bottle that is now an ointment of healing for his battered soul.


This precious child whose earthly father is unknown
Is even now sitting in the lap of his heavenly Father who loves him dearly.
The cuddles he should have received will now never end.
The wonders of heaven are his to enjoy!
The joys of Jesus are surrounding him like a warm blanket.
The love of God assures him he is special.
And none too soon,
For all the pain and suffering from the harsh hands of those who preferred him at least dead, if not nonexistent, had bruised his soul.



God gave us many chances to help, but,
Earth failed to help him.
His parents failed to love him.
The government failed to protect him.
The courts failed to save him.
And so...

He is gone but never forgotten.
Let us not let this happen ever again.
Let none of us fail another child, ever.
Voices must speak out,
Letters must be written,
Authorities must be questioned and urged to act,
Old laws must be thrown out,
New laws must be enacted,
Judges must stand before God,
So that there are no more stories about battered children,
So that his life was not in vain.
So that another family does not suffer the greatest loss known to man: that of a child.
So that angels do not have to wait in dread for another journey.



In memory of Declan Stewart
Born April 23, 2002 Died August 12, 2007