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Hope

The last several months have been a little rough. Besides losing my father, I lost two friends, one very unexpectedly. It hurts to know that I will never see their smiling faces again except for old pictures and in my memory.

While I mourn their losses greatly, I know I will one day see them again. Songs come on the radio and remind me of each one. Those songs bring tears to my eyes, however, those tears are not altogether sad. I know they are no longer hurting. I know they no longer have to battle with this world. I know they have been reunited with loved ones who have gone on before. I know they are worshiping their Savior.

How do I know these things?

1 Thessalonians 4:13, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."

I have hope.


For the last several years I've had an acquaintance who grieves greatly over the loss of a loved one on each anniversary. I can sympathize with her having suffered lost myself. There are some dates I wish I could just skip over. But this woman is so angry. She is hateful to people with whom she comes in contact with during these anniversary times. She even puts people on notice ahead of time, as if that gives her license to treat people the way she does. During those times she is absolutely miserable.

What's the difference between the two of us? She has no hope. I don't believe she knows Christ, so even if her loved one did know Him, until she receives that Hope for herself, she will never see that person again.

I thank God my Savior for a little word with a huge impact – HOPE.

Comments

  1. Losing loved ones hurts. We miss being able to reach out to them. There will even be times when we'll forget she or he is no longer with us and reach for the phone, punch in their number before realizing what we're doing. It's hard letting go. I lost my sister last August and I've yet to erase her voicemails on my phone. Although I haven't listened to them since she's passed but I haven't resolved to delete them either for the day I'd just want to hear her voice. I know it's just a recording but it's still her voice nonetheless.
    I'm sadden by your loss, Ruth, yet, I rejoice in our gain as we're united with Christ and reunited with our loved ones who have gone on before us!
    Blessings, peace, and comfort to you.

    ReplyDelete

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