Jonathan, you left too soon

A classic in-depth, extremely honest first person account of grief from the loss of a child. First published in 1981, this book will help those dealing with a similar loss or those who wish to better understand and help family or friends who may be struggling with such a loss. In his foreword, Charles Swindoll wrote, “Stunned yet courageous, this pastor recorded his feelings, his questions, his guilt, his struggles, and even his bitterness. as you read his words, you will nod with understanding and weep with compassion. Your heart will beat heavily as you identify with his profound sends of loss ... Not since Joe Bayly’s A view from the Hearse have I found myself more in agreement. To this author, grief is real; it dare not be denied or ignored. Yes, its wounds must be handled with care and given time to heal. Preserving us from pious platitudes and empty clichés, David Biebel says it straight and he says it well. Best of all, he doesn’t attempt to answer all the whys. Old Joseph Parker [who said that there is a broken heart in every pew] would have appreciated David’s style and content. I certainly do. So will you.” This is an intensely personal story of how one man, as a father and minister, came to terms with his bereavement and experienced a more mature realization of his faith. Both touching and inspiring, Jonathan: You Left Too Soon offers strength and reassurance to those who hurt, encouraging them on their journey through brokenness toward a greater sense of wholeness. Note: This book is a companion volume to If God is So Good, Why Do I Hurt So Bad? written by the same author after his second son nearly died in 1986.Excerpt from chapter 1:"Daddy, if I was killed, would you still be able to find me?"As we rode along together in the summer of 1978, I had warned Jonathan not to lean against the car door because he might fall out.As usual, he had asked a series of questions beginning with "Why?" and I had tried to explain that if he fell out he might get hurt. In fact, he might be killed.This prompted his simple inquiry. Perhaps it was the sheer pain of the idea that preveneted my response. Just the thought of Jonathan's being taken away was something I could not handle.So I never answered him.I wish I had. I also wish I had prepared him more fully for what he was about to face. I thought there would be time. He wasn't quite four years old, still too young to be able to understand the deeper things about life and death and God. There would be time, I expected, for all of that.There wasn't.