On January 20, 2008, we observed Sanctity of Life Sunday at our church. The speaker that morning was Carol Everett who gave her testimony about her experiences in the abortion industry. As I sat and listened, what affected me most was not the stories that she told about running a number of abortion clinics although that was a very moving and powerful testimony. What touched me the most was how it all began — with the abortion of her own child and how that had affected the rest of her life. She spoke of how one day she would meet her child in heaven. As she spoke, a tune begin playing in my head. As a songwriter, I wanted to remember it but I had no way in the middle of church to record it. By the time church was over, other songs had been played in the service (invitation song, offertory song, and more music at the conclusion of the service) and so I couldn’t remember the tune that had been playing in my head earlier. A week later, I was in the morning church service again listening to the sermon when once again this tune began playing in my head. This time I thought “I’ve got to remember this” because I figured if I was given the same tune more than once, it must be important. Unfortunately, my tune memory skills were once again not all that great and I couldn’t seem to retain it through the other music played in the completion of the service. It was somewhat frustrating to say the least. Since I don’t really enjoy being frustrated, I just put it out of my mind and decided to not worry anymore about it.

About two and a half weeks later on February 14th (Valentine’s Day!) it was getting late in the day and I decided to sit down at my music computer and do some mixing on some songs for a CD that a Southern Gospel group that I sing in had been recording. As I sat down to do that, I thought about that tune that had eluded me twice before. So instead of doing mixing, I sat down at my piano and asked God to give it to me one more time and this time I would remember it. This song, “Child of My Sorrow”, is the result.

God has a plan for everyone. Sadly, not everyone gets a chance to find out what God has planned for them. Many of us who do have the opportunity to seek God’s plan, choose otherwise and go our own way. Millions of unborn children will never have the chance to make that decision. Beyond that, we will never get to see the fruition of God’s plan for these children and how it may have touched our lives or possibly changed the world.

I pray that this song can be a step toward healing in lives that are oppressed by the aftereffects of abortion. Abortion is loss and loss results in grieving. Many are burdened with guilt and self hate as abortion leaves its mark on their lives. No one who has in any way been associated with abortion can escape untouched. It always leaves a trail of sorrow in its wake. Only God can heal the wounds and turn sorrow into joy.

Larry

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them

Psalm 139:16

But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

© 2008 Larry G. Hearin

Child of my sorrow I’m thinking of you
Wondering what God had formed you to do
I’ll never know your part in His plan
I grieve for the loss of the work of His hand

Child of my sorrow I’m thinking of you
Wondering what God had formed you to do

Child of my sorrow in heaven so fair
One day I promise I will meet you there
And weep tears of joy for His mercy to me
For what God has wrought at last I will see

Child of my sorrow in heaven so fair
One day I promise I will meet you there

Jesus said, “Suffer the children to come unto Me
For My kingdom belongs to such as these”

Child of my sorrow I’m thinking of you
Wondering what God had formed you to do

Child of my sorrow I’m thinking of you