Grief

Today is Sept. 25^th. My mom would be 94 today, but since she’s in heaven, she isn’t growing old! She is enjoying eternal peace without aging. On the other hand, my dad usually doesn’t know what day it is and seldom speaks of my mom unless I mention her. He is so ready to be with her, though, and wonders what purpose God has for him since he isn’t able to do what he used to do. He lives with me now since his heatstroke in late June. We have caregivers who come at night and during the day when I need them.

I had to arrange more caregivers this week so I could come to my daughter’s home in TN yesterday to be “mom” instead of daughter for awhile. Her husband was brought home from the hospital with Hospice and passed away two hours later. Another family member is home with Jesus leaving the rest of us to grieve.

The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4 offer hope to God’s people.

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thess. 4:13-14).

Yes, we grieve for ourselves, but it is a temporary grief. One day all tears will be wiped away by Jesus, our Savior.         

“And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each others with these words” (1 Thess. 4:17b-18).