MAY 5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13

“Grandpa, could you take me home?” asked Emily. “I’m so tired.” She and her sister Ling were at their grandparents’ house making cookies.

Ling, who was mixing the ingredients in a bowl, looked up. “I don’t want to go home yet!” she exclaimed. “We just got here.”

“But I don’t feel very good,” replied Emily as she sat down with a sigh. “I’ll take you home,” said Grandpa. “Ling can stay longer, and when she’s ready to leave, I’ll drive her home, too.”

Grandpa and Emily started out. They had gone only a couple of blocks when a car ran a red light and hit them squarely on the passenger side. “Honey, are you okay?” gasped Grandpa. He wasn’t badly hurt, but Emily was taken to the hospital. “Will Emily be all right?” Ling asked tearfully when her parents took her to see her sister.

“We pray she will,” answered Mom. However, Emily died the next day. The following weeks were very difficult for Ling. She couldn’t sleep or eat, and she cried every day. “I miss Emily so much!” she sobbed into her pillow one evening after again refusing to eat anything.

“I know,” said Dad, sitting by the side of her bed. “Mom and I miss her too - only God knows how much! But, honey, Emily is so happy with Jesus now.” He gave Ling a hug. “We feel sad,” he added, “but we also have a comfort that people who don’t know Jesus never have.”

Mom nodded. “Remember last year when Emily went off to camp?” she asked. “At first, I worried about her. Do you know who made me feel better, Ling?” Ling shook her head. “It was you,” said Mom. “You reminded me that Emily always had lots of friends and loved outdoor activities. ‘She’ll love this camp,’ you said, and I knew you were right. When I realised Emily was happy at camp, I felt better.” Mom paused. “It’s a little like that now,” she said. “I know Emily is happy in heaven, and that does help me feel better when the sadness just gets to be too much.”

“But camp was only a little while,” cried Ling. “We knew we’d see her again.”

“Yes, but that’s true now, too,” said Mom. “We’ve said goodbye for now-but because we have Jesus as our Saviour, some day we’ll be with her in heaven.”

Thought: Do you feel sad because someone you love has died and gone to heaven?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for your assurance that all believers will meet in heaven one day. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.