See You Later

After visiting family and friends, sometimes it’s difficult, even heartbreaking, to say goodbye, even knowing we’ll visit again. The term “goodbye” means “God be with ye,” a request for safe travel for someone you may not see for an extended period. Letting go, saying goodbye to family members and friends can pull on one’s heartstrings, but especially in death.

We experience grief when loved ones die. The apostle Paul writes to believers that we will grieve when they “sleep in Jesus” (die), but not without hope: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them which also sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. . . Wherefore, comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:14,18). We have hope because Jesus lives. Because He died and rose from the dead, we, who are in Christ, will live again. When God’s children close their eyes in death here, they enter His presence. There will be a reunion in heaven with those who have gone before us and no more “goodbyes”—we will be with the Lord forever.