A Good Time to Remember

A Good Time to Remember

This week is a good time, for me, to remember.  While I think of my dad often throughout my year, for me, it is not a good thing to dwell too long on those memories.  Thinking too long about any loss or any thing we think we lack in our lives, if we are not careful, can pull us into holes that are very difficult to climb out of.  While I find it good to think of the positive impact my dad had on my life and to remember all of the good things he taught me, it could get unhealthy if I dwell on how good it would be for him to be here during my present situations.  But this week, I allow myself to dwell a little longer on him, my nephew, and friends that have gone into heaven before me.  This week I am surrounded by the truths of the first fruits of Jesus’s resurrection.  I am preaching about it, I hear so many songs sung about it, and I see reminders of his resurrection everywhere.  All of those serve to remind me that while I miss those who have gone first, I will see them once again.  I will, one day, be able to catch them all up on those things which they missed.  My nephew and my son, while they missed growing up together, will have an eternity to worship together.  I will, once again, be able to speak with my dad and get his advice about life in heaven.  I will see my mom and dad enjoying each other once again.  While the thought of that brings tears to my eyes, my heart is not overcome with sadness for what is lost but is filled with joy in what is to come.
Thoughts of sadness and loss are powerful emotions that can quickly pull us into dark places.  We must battle them with truths that remind us that they have been defeated.  This week, when we are surrounded by such great truths, maybe we can let ourselves remember just a little more than at other times.  Yes, we always have these truths, I just need to be fortified in them in order to do battle.  This week helps. Praise Jesus for his death and resurrection.