We don't mourn like those who have no hope...

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Earlier this week, our church lost a dear sister. She is now resting comfortably in the arms of our Lord and Savior. We rejoice with her, yet also grieve her passing. She will be missed, and always loved, but we know that we will see her again on the other side of Glory.

I am taking this loss pretty hard. Nita was a good friend, and adopted me as her nephew in Christ. It has not been easy to cope with the sadness, and I am at times overwhelmed with sorrow and pain. But God is good, no matter how I feel, and His love and goodness surround me. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4)." The psalmist wrote that "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)." I know that my sorrow is temporary, and it does not take away the joy that comes from knowing my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Him, I praise Him, and I thank Him. Nita isn't hurting anymore. She is in her glorified body.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21