Thoughts for Life: Gone but Not Forgotten

Martin Wiles- "So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." John 16:22 NLT

They were gone, but not forgotten.

In our area of the United States, hummingbirds arrive in late March or early April and hang around until mid-October. A few weeks before their arrival, I hang three feeders for the scouts to find. Almost anywhere we are in the house, we can view the beautiful birds feeding. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

Hummingbirds are diligent little creatures. Even with three feeders, I must refill the feeders every couple of days. And the birds, though small, are aggressive and territorial. One will sit atop the feeder or perch on the feeder stand, waiting, so they can run off any intruders. Their wings beat quickly, and their flight speed is amazing.

As the season wears on, the number of hummingbirds diminishes. Then, one day, they are gone. I miss their antics … their beauty. I miss them hanging in mid-air, watching me through the window or door. But I know if I hang feeders in the spring of the next year, they’ll return.

Jesus understood the sorrow His followers would feel after He left them. They had followed Him for three years, and now He was leaving for heaven. But He told them not to sorrow. They would see Him again when their eyes closed in death.

I mourn too when I think of all my loved ones who have gone on to heaven. As I get older, fewer of them are around, and I think of the time when I’ll no longer be here for my children and grandchildren. I miss sitting around with my grandparents and hearing their stories. I miss the cousins, aunts, and uncles whom death has captured.

Their examples keep me going in the right direction. I remember their love for God, how they taught their family about His love, how they shared their faith, and how they lived a consistent Christian example. They may be gone, but they are not forgotten.

Most of all, I have the example of Jesus, just as the early disciples did. His example, more than any other, prods me on in the faith journey. As He promised to return for His early followers, so He has promised to do the same for all His children.

Don’t let the death of friends and family rob you of the memories of their good examples. They may be gone, but you don’t have to forget them.

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Let's pray-

Father, we appreciate having the hummingbirds flitting around, and welcome them each Spring. They are a special gift from You for our enjoyment, and we thank You for them. We will miss them each year, and will be glad to see them again, come Spring.

As Jesus understood too, the sorrow of His followers when He left them for heaven. He told them not to sorrow, as He would see them again when they died. It's true that we mourn when we think of our loved ones who've died, but look forward to seeing those we believe are present with You in heaven.

Those who lived lives that were examples of faith in You, we appreciate and remember them as those who prodded us on to stay strong in our faithwalk. We believe You will send Jesus back at the appointed time for His Bride, the Church as You promised!

Help us remember those who've passed on, with memories of their living for Your glory. They may be gone, but they are not forgotten. We have hope of seeing them in glory!

In the mighty name of Jesus, we give thanks and praise for each one who inspired us! Amen

736-740 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

736- Ps. 23:2 "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."

737- Ps. 34:9 "O fear the LORD, ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear him."

738- 2 Thess. 3:16 "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all."

739- Ps. 19:9 "The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether."

740- Pro. 4:18 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

Quote for today-

~ Dr. Francis J. Sizer- "The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, then, speaks of the believer's justification. One is now declared righteous by the death of Jesus Christ, and therefore lives in right retlationship before God. The Bible says that without the sheding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin. Our precious Lord Jesus suffered and died in the place of humankind, that all might be forgiven their sins." ((p. 62 in his book, INTO HIS PRESENCE, How to find the Ultimate Treasure, Dr. Francis J. Sizer)

Words of wisdom from -Emma Danzey

"When Jesus declared Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, He was telling HIs disciples, and the world that He was God and He was the Messiah that they were waiting on. It is because of His death and resurrection that we can all have eternal life. Although we are sinners, He bore our sins on the cross. Every thought, action, and sinful feeling, He took on for us and placed Himself under the punishment and judgment of God. He became sin for us, so we could have the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).