Saying Goodbye
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” ~ John 11:21-24 (ESV)
Martha was quite upset that Jesus did not come in time for her brother Lazarus to be healed. I know how Martha felt; hoping that all would be okay since Jesus could heal her brother.
Have you been there? Knocking on heaven’s door for a loved one or a friend to be healed? It is hard to keep going if God is not hearing your prayers; your prayers seem to hit the ceiling (they do not, trust me).
When my dad was very sick I remember bargaining with God; I would have done anything if God would heal my dad according to my will. Unfortunately it does not work that way. We cannot bargain with God. I know it is hard to swallow when we have to say goodbye to someone who was close to us. It took me years to get over my dad’s death. God healed my dad, just not the way I thought He would.
In 1 Thessalonians Paul writes about hope for those who put their trust in Christ Jesus. These verses have brought comfort to me over the past years when thinking of my dad:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV – emphasis mine).
You see, when we put our trust in Jesus, we have the hope to see our loved ones again. Over the years I have had to say goodbye to family and friends, young and old, expected and unexpected. However, I know that I will see them again when my time has come to be home with the Lord…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for giving us hope when we are grieving the death of a loved one. Lord, some days it is hard to be without them. You have overcome death and we can look forward to the day of reunion. Give us the strength and peace we need in the meantime. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.
Dear readers of Laced with Grace: one of our long time team members lost a loved one last week. Please keep Tracy and her family in your prayers as they are saying goodbye.
You are so right, Iris. God always hears our prayers and he heals, but not always in the way we expect. It is so difficult to lose a loved one, but remembering that we’ll see them again brings such comfort. My prayers are with Tracy and her family during this difficult time.
Blessings, Joan
So, so sad. Thank God for the support of others, and people like you that offer such beautiful words of consolation.
Andie
Such beautiful words Iris. Sorry I missed this earlier.
You’re so right, death is a healing although we who are left behind to cope don’t always see it that way. Praying for Tracy and her family.