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Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:28 KJV)

Along with:

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3 KJV)

These were some of my father’s favorite verses.

They mean a great deal to Christians, especially during the loss of a loved one. A good friend of mine lost her father – and I know how she feels. More than ever, she wants to talk with her father. She has been able to for the past few years, even though he could not respond. Alzheimer’s had taken that ability away, pieces at a time. No matter when we lose our parents, we always want to tell them something.

I want my Dad to know that he has a great-great-grandson that has his smile. There’s no importance in that, but I must let that child know about the source of his smile. Maybe that child will have his sense of humor, too. I pray that child comes to know Jesus, God’s Messiah, as his own Lord and savior.

I want my Mom to know how many of her descendants are in their Lord’s service. I know she would have smiled to see grandsons-in-law standing together as church ushers. To see her son-in-law, granddaughter and great-granddaughter in choir. But Lou Gehrig’s disease removed her ability to attend services long before our Lord took her to her own mansion.

Our treasures are not here. Oh, our “things” are, and we enjoy having them about us – but our treasures are where our hearts are. My heart, my soul, my mind and my might belong to God, as He commands.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38 KJV)

Because of this, I also believe:

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Revelation 21:4-5 KJV)

I believe these words are true and faithful. My friend does, too. Some day, when time is no more, we shall meet beside that river, under that tree. Join us.

Prague, Old New Synagogue - portal showing the Tree of Life in the Tympanum, by Wolfgang Sauber (Wiki Commons)