SAYING GOODBYE

-->

I Was Just Thinking About – SAYING GOODBYE.

I read these words in a devotional today: “Who hasn't struggled with demoralizing seasons of dark sadness? Everyone suffers from grief and sorrow from time to time.” The words of a romantic song include: 

How do I say goodbye to what we had? 

The good times that made us laugh, 

outweighed the bad…

It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. 

And I'll take with me the memories to be my sunshine after the rain. 

It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

Today, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., people will gather at a Funeral Home in Oklahoma City to view and say goodbye to Keaton Barron (my Great Grandson), as well as to offer condolences to his parents – Luke and Holly Barron, his brothers – Reid (age 4)and Holden (age 1),  and other family members. Tomorrow (Thursday) will be the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. and the Internment – “It’s so hard to say goodbye!”

Over the years, I have conducted, as well as attended, many funeral services. For the Biblical Christian, saying “Goodbye” to a family member or friend is temporary. The Hymn-writer Sanford F. Bennet (1868) expressed in the words about heaven: “In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore.” Embracing this truth results in comfort and peace that diminishes grief and sorrow.

In First Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT), the Apostle Paul reminded the Biblical Christian and Church: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”

While one can identify with those who are sorrowing, especially when a young child has died, the role of the Biblical Christian is more than commiseration. It is the obligatory ministry of encouragement. Many passages come to mind, such as John 14:1-3 where Jesus told His disciples that He was leaving them to return to heaven where He would  prepare a special place for each of them. Those who depart to go to that prepared place will be free from the pain and anguish of all maladies. The heart-broken will be overflowing with joy. The sorrowing will be filled with comfort and peace. David found refuge in the words he wrote, Psalm 30:5 (NLT), “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

The bumps and bruises of life can be painful. Death and dying can be a weight in one’s mind and spirit. The uncertainties of life and financial pressures can be overwhelming. Just a couple of reminders from the lips of Jesus to His followers: Peace I leave with you, not as the world offers,  but I have overcome the world and all of its inadequacies (John 14 and 16). Jesus also said: Abide in Me…My joy will be complete in you (John 15). Many times He reminded His disciples: Remember my all-sufficient grace for you and never relinquish your faith and confidence in me.

It is so hard to say goodbye. But look at it from heaven’s perspective as He says to the one who has died in Him: Welcome! Your special place is prepared and ready! I’ve been waiting for you! You are now complete in me. Come in and fellowship with me in my forever place I prepared for you.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.