I was at the airport today. Doing my limo driver thing, waiting for a client to show up. I have a great view of the escalators. Two going up and two coming down. While waiting I observed people. Fascinating creatures aren’t they?
At the bottom of the up escalator were three people. One was going to get on their plane and two were staying in town. It was a tearful good-bye. Of course I don’t know how far away they were going or for how long, but it was very tearful.
At the same time the top of the down escalator, some lady was waving profusely and grinning from ear to ear joyfully. There was a man, boyfriend or husband maybe, who was waiting at the bottom of the down escalator for this waving lady. She continued to wave all the way down and then they hugged. It was a joyful greeting.
A week ago today, I and my family buried my mother. I have shed many tears and continue to do so. Losing a parent is really hard. I know my mother is in heaven. She was a godly woman and a prayer warrior. She served God her whole live and believed in the salvation message. So that was a no brainer. But what got me to thinking was those escalators today. I know some cartoons portray escalators to heaven. Jacob did have his ladder.
What got me thinking was the up and down; the tearful goodbye and the joyful hello. I know I will always miss my mother, but in the scheme of things eternal, my goodbye this last week will only be a joyful hello in God’s blink of an eye. I don’t know how long in earthly terms it will be, but because of faith, it won’t be long.
In the mean time, grieving is hard, but it is supposed to be. My dad commented a day or two after the memorial service, “I know what a heavy heart is.” Yes we do. Life and faith go on and help us with the heavy hearts and the grieving. What blows me away is the friends who have sent cards, brought in food, ordered flowers, made phone calls, sent emails and showed up for visitation and for services. Family came from every corner of the U.S. Stories and memories were shared. And I found out just how much mom touched peoples lives. Those are the things that help hold us together. It’s nice to know who your real friends are.
If you are grieving, no matter what the loss, I pray that you know God and the salvation message of Jesus Christ. I pity the ones who do not know were their loved are headed after death. The loss is then eternal. The hope is absent and the future has no purpose. If you are pondering such questions, read the Gospel of John chapter 14. Get to know Jesus, who says he is the Way to the Father in heaven. Learn from a pastor or christian friend more about this important matter. Secure for yourself a future and a hope. I know we celebrate the resurrection for my mother and I am fairly certain most of my family will be at that great reunion someday. My escalator’s going up. There may be a few tearful good-byes, but I am certain there will be more joyful hello’s.
