NOVEMBER 27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Whenever Suat visited her grandparents, Grandma usually called her into the kitchen to help prepare a snack. But Grandma didn’t call her today because Grandma had passed away last week. Suat sighed as she rocked slowly in her grandmother’s favourite chair. “How’s school?” 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 moments that 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 wonderful place.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for saving me and providing for me a place in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.