November 14
Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may
be filled with joy. 2 Timothy 1:4
As the car is being packed up to begin their two hour journey home after a couple of days with us, I see the stifled emotion in my little grandson’s face. With his baby brother in my arms while my daughter gathers their things together, suddenly my Grandson wraps his arms around my legs and tells me how much he loves me. My heart bursts with tenderness and love at this precious child’s spontaneous demonstration of his love for me. A short while later, in his car seat with quiet tears in his eyes he says, “Bye Gram, I am going to miss you.” I want to kiss his tears away! But in an effort not to make matters more difficult for him, I fight back my own tears and tell him that I will see him soon, careful not to be too specific about the time, as my daughter tells me that my word is taken quite seriously, and he will not forget it. His tears make my heart ache and as they drive away, are in my eyes also. Although they have not reached the end of our street, already I long to see them and hold them; wishing I could run right after them! That initial part of our separation is always most painful for each of us! But I can smile through the tears anticipating the joy that is ahead when I am with them again.
It is not easy to be parted from those we love. How well we all know this experience, this separation that begins for us at quite an early age. Each occurrence is a stepping stone on this path of our lives, and seems to be preparing us for the final good-bye. But through our faith in God, sustained by the example of the life, death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ, we know that the “final separation” is also part of the journey. Although the time may be uncertain, with confidence we know, that the arms of our loved ones are waiting to hold us once again, and in the presence of God, we will be filled with inconceivable joy!
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that our tears of sadness from the separations we experience, will be replaced with tears of unimaginable joy when we are reunited once again.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may
be filled with joy. 2 Timothy 1:4
As the car is being packed up to begin their two hour journey home after a couple of days with us, I see the stifled emotion in my little grandson’s face. With his baby brother in my arms while my daughter gathers their things together, suddenly my Grandson wraps his arms around my legs and tells me how much he loves me. My heart bursts with tenderness and love at this precious child’s spontaneous demonstration of his love for me. A short while later, in his car seat with quiet tears in his eyes he says, “Bye Gram, I am going to miss you.” I want to kiss his tears away! But in an effort not to make matters more difficult for him, I fight back my own tears and tell him that I will see him soon, careful not to be too specific about the time, as my daughter tells me that my word is taken quite seriously, and he will not forget it. His tears make my heart ache and as they drive away, are in my eyes also. Although they have not reached the end of our street, already I long to see them and hold them; wishing I could run right after them! That initial part of our separation is always most painful for each of us! But I can smile through the tears anticipating the joy that is ahead when I am with them again.
It is not easy to be parted from those we love. How well we all know this experience, this separation that begins for us at quite an early age. Each occurrence is a stepping stone on this path of our lives, and seems to be preparing us for the final good-bye. But through our faith in God, sustained by the example of the life, death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ, we know that the “final separation” is also part of the journey. Although the time may be uncertain, with confidence we know, that the arms of our loved ones are waiting to hold us once again, and in the presence of God, we will be filled with inconceivable joy!
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that our tears of sadness from the separations we experience, will be replaced with tears of unimaginable joy when we are reunited once again.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson