Wednesday, the Fifth Week of Lent – Greg

“I’ll See You Again.” 

My father died suddenly due to a brain bleed caused by an aneurysm. Having made his usual rounds for that day doing good deeds for others as he saw the need to do so, he was in the backyard by the pool, holding my niece. He became ill, collapsed, and never regained consciousness. I was able to get to the hospital, where I was shown the devastating scans that told me there would be no coming back from this. My father was gone. I spoke softly to him before life support was terminated, but I did not get to say a proper goodbye. 

At the funeral, my grandmother, around eighty years old at that time, said one thing I will never forget. “It should not be this way. A  parent should never have to live through the pain of burying a child.” Four years later, just before her death, I was able to visit with her in the nursing home. We talked about my dad, my grandfather, the old store she used to run, and how she was ready to see Jesus. Her body was tired and frail from a long life of service, but the sparkle in her dimming eyes said it all. She knew where she was going, she knew who she would meet there, and there was only joy to come. Her faith was so strong as to be palpable in that room. It radiated from her like sunshine.

I have not seen my father since 1995, my grandmother since 1999. Jesus promises that we will see Him again when it is our turn to leave this earth. And if we see Him, how can we not see those who went before us, who loved Him and must be right there with Him? I believe that on that day, my heart will rejoice, and no one will take that joy from me. Amen. 

– Greg Smith, EFM Alumnus

3 responses to “Wednesday, the Fifth Week of Lent – Greg”

  1. Emily Mumford says:

    A great friend of mine always used to say that there are no more leave-takings in Heaven.

    That has always brought me comfort. The promise of eternal life is reuniting with loved ones and the hope that “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 51:11)

  2. Bob Brown says:

    AMEN !! AMEN !! AMEN !!

  3. Zetta Garrett says:

    After my father died in 1989, I would sometimes read or hear something and think I need to call dad and see what he has to say about this. He was in so much pain at the end, but I believe I will see him again in Heaven and there will only be rejoicing there.