NOVEMBER 12, 2 Corinthians 5:8

Stretching sleepily, Mac wondered why he had a strange, empty feeling in his stomach. Then it all came back to him. He glanced over at the other bed. Yes, it was empty. It really was true,his brother Aaron ,was gone. It had been almost a month since Aaron had left for school in the morning and had not come back. Tears rolled down Mac’s cheeks as he remembered. There had been an accident. Aaron had been killed. Mom said he had gone to heaven.

The door to Mac’s room opened, and his mother came in. “Morning, honey!” she said. “I see you’re already awake.” Noticing his tears, she sat beside him on the bed. “You’re thinking of Aaron, aren’t you?” she asked. “Daddy and I miss him too, but we try to remember how happy he is with Jesus.”

“But Mom, how do you know he’s with Jesus?” asked Mac. “I know because Aaron accepted Jesus as his Saviour,” Mom answered. “The Bible says those who trust in Him go to be with Him when they die.”

Mac nodded. “Yes, but… but he was right there in the casket,” he said with a sob. “And then he was put in the ground at the cemetery.” Mac covered his face with his hands. “Aaron’s body is in the grave, but his soul, or his life, the real Aaron, is with Jesus,” explained Mom. Mac looked at his hands. “So… my hands and feet, and my head and ears and eyes… they aren’t really me?”

Mom shook her head. “Not really,” she told him. “Your body is like a house in which the real you, your soul lives. Your body may die, but not your soul. It lives forever. Aaron’s body died, and we buried it, but God took Aaron’s soul to heaven. So when I think of Aaron, I think of him in heaven, not in the cemetery.”

Mac sighed. “I still wish I could see Aaron every day,” he said slowly.

“I know,” Mom answered, giving him a hug. “We all do. We can’t see him again here on earth, but because we all know Jesus, we can look forward to seeing him in heaven some day. Then we’ll all be together forever!”

Thought: Do you know that your life, or soul, will live forever,either in heaven or in hell?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance that when a Christian dies, his soul goes to be with Jesus. Help me to be sure of my salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.