My father died in September of 2015; it seems like only yesterday, I was hugging him, giving him a goodbye kiss and telling him I loved him.  That day, 9-14-15, was the hardest day of my life, because I knew it wouldn’t be long and he would be home in the Father’s arms.

Recently, a friend was talking to me about how death is ugly and scary and that is where I disagree.  I can say death is hard. Hard on those of us that are left behind to carry on without our loved ones.  It’s hard because I want to hear my father’s voice, laughing and making jokes or giving me advice~any advice, just to hear him speak. I miss my dad. We didn’t always see eye to eye on many things, but as I became older, I understood why he was the way he was when he was alive. He was leaving me a legacy, something to hold onto when he wasn’t here; a memorial guide in my brain, to help me get through times just like this.

Letting go wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as difficult as many think, because I saw this strong willed-independent spirit of a man, falter in his earthly shell.  One thing that has helped me and will continue to strengthen me, is I knew without a shadow of a doubt, he was going home to Heaven. And that is beauty.  When his time on earth had ended, he became free. Free of pain, free of having trouble breathing, free of having difficult walking, free of any discomfort that he suffered with for more than a year.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know that someday my suffering and agony here on earth will come to an end. This body, this place I call home, is temporary. My home is in Heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 New International Version (NIV)
5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Letting go isn’t easy, but it is necessary. So, take the time to heal a wound, mend a relationship. Love one another. Forgive. Know that when the time is near, Jesus will be waiting with open arms to welcome all of us home.

God Bless you today!