NOVEMBER 27 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PLACE

Whenever Suat visited her grandparents, Grandma usually called her into the kitchen to help prepare a snack. But Grandma didn’t call her today. Suat sighed as she rocked slowly in her grandmother’s favorite chair. “How’s school going?” asked Grandpa.

“Okay,” said Suat. She looked at the wall where a picture of her grandparents hung. She closed her eyes tightly and wished Grandma would be standing there when she opened them. But that couldn’t happen, of course.

“You miss Grandma, don’t you?” Grandpa asked quietly. A tear slid down Suat’s cheek. “I miss her, too,” Grandpa said with a sad look on his face. “Sometimes I want to call out to her in the kitchen to talk with her. It’s hard to accept the fact that she isn’t here anymore.” He opened the drawer of a table and pulled out a box. “But look,” he said. “When I feel especially sad, I look through this memory box. As each picture or article brings back memories, I thank God for the special times - and the ordinary ones - I could spend with Grandma.”

Grandpa held out the box, and Suat took it. “Oh, here’s a picture of Grandma baking cookies!” exclaimed Suat. “And here’s one I drew of them.” Suat and Grandpa talked a little about the lovely cookies Grandma could bake. 

“Shall we thank God for that?” asked Grandpa. Suat nodded, and Grandpa prayed, “Father, thank You so much for Grandma and for the time You allowed us to share with her. Thank You for the memory of the beautiful times. We miss her so much, but we know she’s with You now. We thank You for that, too. Help us look to You for strength and comfort.” A few tears wet Grandpa’s face, and he hugged Suat tightly.

“I have an idea,” said Suat. She went to the kitchen, and Grandpa followed. He smiled approvingly as Suat began putting some biscuits on a plate, just like Grandma used to do. “Grandma used to tell funny stories when we were in the kitchen together,” said Suat with a grin. “The funniest
one was about how she met you.” She giggled and gave Grandpa a hug. “I’ll tell you what she said.”

Thought: Heaven is a better place.
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You I may speak to You about some people I love who may have passed away. If they also trusted in Jesus, I can look forward to the day God will wipe away all tears and I’ll be reunited with those who’ve gone to heaven ahead of me. In the wonderful Jesus’ name, Amen.