Goodbye for Now (Part 1)

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

“Grandpa, can you take me home?” asked Emery. “I’m so tired.” She and her sister, Taryn, were at their grandparents’ house making Christmas cookies.

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

“But I don’t feel very good,” Emery said, sitting down with a sigh.

“I’ll take you home,” Grandpa said. “Taryn can stay longer. I’ll drive her home when she’s ready to leave.”

Grandpa and Emery 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. Grandpa wasn’t badly hurt, but Emery was taken to the hospital.

“Will Emery be all right?” Taryn asked tearfully when her parents took her to see her sister.

“We’re praying she will be,” answered Mom. But Emery died the next day.

The following weeks were very difficult for Taryn. She couldn’t sleep or eat, and she cried every day. “I miss Emery so much!” she said as she sobbed into her pillow one evening after again refusing to eat anything.

“I know,” Dad said, sitting on the side of her bed. “We do too, but we can take comfort in knowing that Emery is so happy being with Jesus now.” He gave Taryn a hug. “Even though we feel sad, we have hope that people who don’t know Jesus can’t understand.”

Mom nodded. “Remember last summer when Emery went off to camp? At first I worried about her. Do you know who made me feel better, Taryn?” Taryn shook her head. “It was you,” said Mom. “You reminded me that Emery loved meeting new people and being outside. ‘She’ll love camp,’ you said, and I knew you were right. When I realized Emery was happy at camp, I felt better.” Mom paused. “It’s a little like that now. I know Emery is happy in heaven, and that does help me feel better when the sadness just gets to be too much.”

“But camp was only for a little while,” Taryn said. “We knew we’d see her again.”

“Yes, and that’s true now too,” said Mom. “We’ve said goodbye for now, but because Emery knew Jesus as her Savior like we do, we know that someday we’ll see her again.” – Agnes Livezey

How About You?

Do you feel sad because someone you love has died and gone to be with Jesus? It’s natural to feel sad and miss that person, but you can also be comforted knowing they are safe and happy with Jesus. If you know Jesus too, you can look forward to seeing your loved one again someday when you’re both with Him.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 You have no reason to have sorrow as those who have no hope. (NLV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Christians will meet again