Dear Pastor,

I just found out that my child's father has been killed. I don't know what to do. I feel like there's just nothing to live for anymore. If it was not for the daughter that he blessed me with, I wouldn't be living. I loved him very much and now I can't seem to get over it and forgive whoever killed him.

Please tell me what to do. How can I get past this horrible ordeal.

M.G., Pennsylvania, United States

Dear M.G.,

I regret hearing that your child's father has been killed. I want you to know it is quite normal for you to grieve. In fact, it may take a long time for you to accept that he has died. If the relationship between yourself and the deceased was very tight, meaningful and deep, your period of mourning might be very long. And no one should condemn you or try to stop you from crying or perhaps even 'bawling.' Only you know what you are feeling.

May your friends and relatives support you by their prayers on your behalf. And may you be comforted also by reading the Psalms every day.

Do try to take care of your daughter. Leave everything in God's hands, and remember not to allow hatred in your heart. Because the more you hate, the longer it would take for the inner man to heal.

Pastor