A Better Place

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49

Finn’s shoulders slumped as he dropped his bike on the lawn and joined his dad in the garage. “What’s wrong, Finn?” Dad asked as he worked on sanding a chair he had recently made.

“I just visited Grandma,” Finn replied. He sighed and picked up a piece of sandpaper to help. “I don’t understand her, Dad.”

“What don’t you understand?”

“Well, I know the doctors can’t cure her disease—and she knows it too—but she actually seems happy about it.” Finn started to help Dad sand an arm of the chair. “She just keeps talking about heaven and how great it’s going to be and how she can’t wait to see Jesus—stuff like that.”

Dad nodded thoughtfully. After a minute he put down his sandpaper and looked at Finn. “Do you remember the old apartment we used to live in?”

Finn stopped working too. “Sure I do! It was a mess. The pipes leaked and the paint was chipping. The floorboards were all rough and rotting.”

“How did you feel when you found out we were going to move?” asked Dad.

“I was so glad!” Finn said, and he started sanding again. “That place was just falling apart, and we really couldn’t live there anymore.”

Dad nodded. “That’s kind of what it’s like for Grandma. She’s stuck inside a body that’s falling apart. In heaven, she won’t be in pain at all anymore. Even better, she’ll get to be with Jesus. One day, when He resurrects all Christians and restores the whole world, she’ll have a body that will never get sick or die. That’s a lot to look forward to.”

“Yeah.” Finn scuffed his toe on the garage floor. “I just hate to think of her being gone. I’ll really miss her!”

“I know. I will too,” Dad said. “Grandma’s death will be hard for us because we love her and will miss her, but it won’t be hard for her at all. She’ll finally be home with Jesus, and she’ll be with Grandpa and other people who’ve already gone to heaven. So even while it makes us sad, we can be happy for her.”

Finn nodded. “When I feel sad, I’ll remember that.” Melissa Montgomery

How About You?

Does death sound scary to you? Are you afraid of dying? If you trust Jesus as your Savior, you don’t need to fear death. When you die, you’ll go to be with Him. Perhaps someone you love has recently died and gone to be with Jesus. It’s okay to be sad and miss them, but take comfort knowing they are in heaven, rejoicing in the presence of Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse: Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Christians don’t need to fear death