[h=3]1 Thessalonians 4:13-18[/h]
[SUP]13[/SUP]But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[SUP]14[/SUP]For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[SUP]15[/SUP]For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive
and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[SUP]16[/SUP]For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [SUP]17[/SUP]Then we which are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[SUP]18[/SUP]Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
These are the words of God that I hold to when I have been where you are, and I have been there.
I watched my father wither away to nothing in much the same way. A man who was a hustler, a go getter, a man who told me that good things in life aren't free and they must be sought early and with purpose. Daddy was no wordsmith, so I took a bit of artistic liberty there.
If you have met me, you have met my father, though he was a bit more blunt than I, and a lot less round. He lacked a formal education beyond the third grade, yet managed to become a master plumber, and very successful contractor. He loved his family more than life.
He was not eloquent, but commanded a wit I can only dream of obtaining. I remember at a Sunday night service, the preacher mentioned that he was missed during Sunday morning service. He told the preacher he had an emergency service call and had to take the call. "Ray, you ain't sposed to work on the Sabbath." To which daddy replied: "Don't the Bible say if your ox gets his ass in the ditch on the Sabbath, to get him out?" I never seen a preacher laugh so hard in my life. For a man that could barely read, he knew enough.
Reading your words does choke me up. As I read I began to think of my father, and nearly 20 years after his death, it still is heavy on my heart, when I see someone like you walking that path.
I would like to put some syrup on it for you, but I can't my friend, it is a bitter pill. Death is the result of our fallen state, but through Christ the suffering will end when we pass the thin veil of this life.
I would like to tell you you'll get over it in time, but you won't in this life.
Nothing wrong with crying, I have done my share. Two years ago I cried myself to sleep every night for months, sounds I had never heard or even thought myself capable. I won't get over it. The best we can ever do is learn to live with it.
When my father died God made sure I was not left alone. My late wife a father treated me like his own son and does to this day. If I live, I know that I will watch him go as well, and it years me up to know this. When my wife of 18.5 years died too young and unexpected, God again sent me a help suitable for me, accross thousands of miles. I think he did that to show off a bit. He didn't find me a girl down the road, he showed me his awesome power. Every part of the process of getting her here clicked like the workings of a fine timepiece, against all obstacles. She is perfect for me and exactly what I need. She knows how to pick me up and dust me off, and get me pointed straight when I hit rough patches in this road.
The troubles of this life are many, and none of us will escape it alive. If you believe in that scripture at the top of this page, you must also believe that even those "caught up" will eventually die a physical death. God's word is true when he said in Hebrews; It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this , the judgement." That judgement being litteral translated as "reward".
I know much of what I have said is a bit morbid, but those in Christ do not have to weep, though we most assuredly will, as we will see them again on the other side. To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.
My heart is rent for you my friend, I have been there.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.