Derrick, I am grieved to hear about your mother. I am so sorry for your loss. 🙁 I do hope that the reunion will occur very shortly, when Almighty God says, "Basta!" "There shall be delay no longer!" Arthur, thanks so much. Time indeed does heal all wounds, after almost a year I still have my moments but overall it is much better. It was hard at the time because I had several prayer groups pulling for her and my mom herself was a fervent believer in healings and miracles. She had no pre-existing conditions, and at 71 was on no prescription medications and had not seen a doctor in about 20 years as I recall. So of course the wrestling with God over “ why couldn’t we have a miracle” was there. But all through the process, my mission was just to be a good witness and glorify Him in all things so that all on the outside looking in would know that my faith and witness to the goodness of God stayed strong through the whole thing and that we as believers do not grieve as unbelievers grieve because we do have such a great blessed hope. I was lucky enough at least to be able to hold my mom’s hand when she passed and it was very peaceful after a few weeks of suffering. My mom also looked forward to the rapture and when watchers pass our knee jerk reaction is I wish she would have lived to see the joy of the rapture, until we remember, duh, actually she now gets a head start on me and will rise first. I am also lucky enough to live in the country where family cemetery/burial plots are permitted if you have enough land to do so, so we picked out a nice little plot for my mom under a redbud tree that she always liked and we started a family cemetery. If the Lord tarries, my wife and I will join her out there some day, but I have a feeling we won’t be needing our plots. I actually consider my little family cemetery my “rapture early warning alarm” now if I hear something a little strange, and look out towards the family cemetery and see mom’s grave pop open, I’ll know to start looking up! B-) lol, of course I’m sure that won’t give me enough time to get a head start on anyone though. Bless you Derrick and your family! Indeed, now a days the deceased are to be envied! An act of mercy often on His part! Our days are all numbered according to His will and purposes! I like your Rapture early warning system! TR That's a very nice way to honour your mother, Derrick. Redbud trees are very beautiful. :heart: Yes, that's the truth. Your mother will not miss the Rapture. She'll be first in line. What a glorious day when the graves literally burst forth! :flyup: There are many relatives I want to see again, including my father, and many that I have never met that died centuries ago. The truly wonderful thing is we will instantly recognize each other. Family reunions are very fun but this grand reunion of the family of God is going to literally be out of this world! :good: Soon and very soon, we are going to see the KING!!! :yahoo: Again as like with Lot, we are vexed in spirit by the breakdown of society and perversions of the day! And evil was so rampant in Noah’s day that men followed their own laws of their hearts! Though we find ourselves still looking up, my heart is focused on the glory of the Rapture and eternal life that awaits! TR
