Many years have passed since that Christmas week that forever changed me. I think of him often, but never more so than during the week of Christmas, and especially on December 23rd--the day he died. I go to his grave every year on that day; not to be near him, because only his earthly shell remains. I go to talk with the Lord and thank him again for the wonderful man that loved and raised me as his own, never gave up praying for my salvation, and who led me to Christ. I go to thank Him for His grace and His blessings. And I go because a small part of me hopes that just maybe the rapture might take place and he and I can make the trip together in glorified bodies. Time does not heal wounds. But God's grace does.
It's at this time of year I think of others I know who have lost their loved ones in recent years. If you've never lost anyone you dearly loved, you might not realize that as wonderful as Christmas and all those special times throughout the year are, those moments are bitter-sweet for some of us. Have patience with us, if at times we smile, holding back unshed tears. We are thinking of a different Country and a different gathering for just a moment.
For some of us, family reunions and holidays are never quite the same. (And if you live long enough, chances are you'll find yourself in a similar position.) Though we enjoy those moments and are thankful, we know our family circle or gathering of friends will not be complete until that great Reunion Day in a wonderful place called Heaven.
To those of you who understand what I am speaking of, especially if you have lost someone in recent years or perhaps even this year, may God's grace comfort your hearts. Though you rejoice in knowing their suffering is over, you miss them. You wish for one more hug, one more kiss, one last conversation, or to hear "I love you" just once more. But you know that once will never be enough. You sometimes long for the trump of God, and you're listening just a little more closely than before to hear, "Come up hither!"
I pray for God's grace to be present for you in a special way in the next few days as you remember your loved one spending Christmas in Heaven, and I remind you, keep looking up because there is a glad reunion day coming, and it won't be much longer!
It's at this time of year I think of others I know who have lost their loved ones in recent years. If you've never lost anyone you dearly loved, you might not realize that as wonderful as Christmas and all those special times throughout the year are, those moments are bitter-sweet for some of us. Have patience with us, if at times we smile, holding back unshed tears. We are thinking of a different Country and a different gathering for just a moment.
For some of us, family reunions and holidays are never quite the same. (And if you live long enough, chances are you'll find yourself in a similar position.) Though we enjoy those moments and are thankful, we know our family circle or gathering of friends will not be complete until that great Reunion Day in a wonderful place called Heaven.
To those of you who understand what I am speaking of, especially if you have lost someone in recent years or perhaps even this year, may God's grace comfort your hearts. Though you rejoice in knowing their suffering is over, you miss them. You wish for one more hug, one more kiss, one last conversation, or to hear "I love you" just once more. But you know that once will never be enough. You sometimes long for the trump of God, and you're listening just a little more closely than before to hear, "Come up hither!"
I pray for God's grace to be present for you in a special way in the next few days as you remember your loved one spending Christmas in Heaven, and I remind you, keep looking up because there is a glad reunion day coming, and it won't be much longer!
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:51-58
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