The long procession of cars moved slowly from the school auditorium to the little country cemetery. When they arrived there, Laura stood between her parents, holding a damp, wadded tissue. She struggled to keep her tears from overflowing again as some final words were spoken.
"Kim is in the presence of Jesus," said Pastor Drew. "Just think of how wonderful it is for her. Perhaps even now she sees Jesus' kind face and hears His gentle voice. A crippled body is no longer hindering her-her pain and sorrow are gone. And God's Word says that those who belong to Jesus will see her again in heaven." The minister's thoughtful words were stated with positive assurance as he spoke to the family and friends who had assembled after Kim's funeral service.
For as long as Laura could remember, she and Kim had gone to school and Sunday school together. They had learned about Jesus when they were little, and each had accepted Him as Savior. But now Kim was gone, and Laura's heart was sad and lonely. The morning sun shone in a clear blue sky, and a breeze scented with flowers brushed the upturned faces of Kim's listening classmates. Each carried a single, brightly-colored balloon.
The minister's quiet words broke into Laura's thoughts. "These balloons are to picture for you the freedom of Kim's spirit today. The Bible tells us that the body is laid to rest in the earth, but the spirit of the person who believes in Jesus goes to be with Him until the Resurrection. Kim's spirit is already at home with Jesus. It's a joyful day for her."
The pastor lifted a pink balloon and held it a moment. "Let's release our balloons together in celebration of Kim's new happiness," he said. A moment later, all eyes were raised skyward as a cloud of vividly colored circles danced in the summer breeze.
"Goodbye, Kim," Laura whispered. She smiled through her tears. "I'll see you in heaven some day."
MEMORY VERSE: We shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
HOW ABOUT YOU? Have you known someone your own age who has died? Perhaps you wonder what it would be like to die. It's natural to be afraid of the unknown, but Jesus promises to take Christians to heaven when they die. Have you trusted Jesus as Savior? If so, you don't need to fear death. The Bible says that for a Christian, death is to be "absent from the body" and "present with the Lord." Make sure that you will live with Him forever in heaven. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)
THE KEY: You can live forever in heaven
"Kim is in the presence of Jesus," said Pastor Drew. "Just think of how wonderful it is for her. Perhaps even now she sees Jesus' kind face and hears His gentle voice. A crippled body is no longer hindering her-her pain and sorrow are gone. And God's Word says that those who belong to Jesus will see her again in heaven." The minister's thoughtful words were stated with positive assurance as he spoke to the family and friends who had assembled after Kim's funeral service.
For as long as Laura could remember, she and Kim had gone to school and Sunday school together. They had learned about Jesus when they were little, and each had accepted Him as Savior. But now Kim was gone, and Laura's heart was sad and lonely. The morning sun shone in a clear blue sky, and a breeze scented with flowers brushed the upturned faces of Kim's listening classmates. Each carried a single, brightly-colored balloon.
The minister's quiet words broke into Laura's thoughts. "These balloons are to picture for you the freedom of Kim's spirit today. The Bible tells us that the body is laid to rest in the earth, but the spirit of the person who believes in Jesus goes to be with Him until the Resurrection. Kim's spirit is already at home with Jesus. It's a joyful day for her."
The pastor lifted a pink balloon and held it a moment. "Let's release our balloons together in celebration of Kim's new happiness," he said. A moment later, all eyes were raised skyward as a cloud of vividly colored circles danced in the summer breeze.
"Goodbye, Kim," Laura whispered. She smiled through her tears. "I'll see you in heaven some day."
MEMORY VERSE: We shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
HOW ABOUT YOU? Have you known someone your own age who has died? Perhaps you wonder what it would be like to die. It's natural to be afraid of the unknown, but Jesus promises to take Christians to heaven when they die. Have you trusted Jesus as Savior? If so, you don't need to fear death. The Bible says that for a Christian, death is to be "absent from the body" and "present with the Lord." Make sure that you will live with Him forever in heaven. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)
THE KEY: You can live forever in heaven
4 comments:
As I was reading this devotion, I thought of a friend of mine who died while we were in high school. It was very sad for all of us who knew him, but we found comfort knowing that he was with Jesus.
Any time that someone passes away it is very difficult to say goodbye, but your message reminds us that we can celebrate the life that the person lived and celebrate the fact that we can see them again in heaven.
Love you!
Hi Sis!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder that while we miss friends who are gone, when they love the Lord and we love the Lord...they are never far from our hearts!
I loved this devotional. Thanks for sharing it!
I love you so much and I miss you already! Can't wait to see you again soon!
Love you to the moon and back! your Nana
Thanks for sharing this, Sweetie. It's good to remember, as Christians, we don't live for this world and this lifetime. We were made to live for God and eternity.
It warms my heart when you share your faith like this. I am so proud of you, and so glad we get to be together for more than this lifetime!
Loving you,
Mom
Kayla- This is from Mackenzie!
"I love you Kayla", "I miss you", "Call me"! "Tell Zac I miss him".
She saw your picture on the blog and she talked about you for quite awhile! We love and miss you tons!
Auntie Erika
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