Grief and Hope

I had a dream about my dad last night. I was being attacked by a snake and he rushed out of the house with his rifle and shot it. I was so glad he was there to save me.

I miss my dad. It has been two years since he passed away and the ache of his loss still squeezes my heart. Unfortunately many of the memories that flood my mind are unpleasant, painful memories of his last weeks in the hospital. I run circles around the “why” and “what if” questions. I go back in my mind and try to re-write the events that transpired and change the outcome. I cry. I shout. I pound my pillow. I grieve. 

I can relate to King David.

Psalms 6: 6-7:
I am worn out from sobbing. Every night tears drench my bed; my pillow is wet from weeping. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

But thankfully, dawn comes.

And with it; hope.

After a night of thrashing about I am spent . . . and finally the Comforter can get a word in edge-wise.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14, 16-18
And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.
For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever! So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

I am comforted. I have assurance. I will see Daddy again and be with him and the Lord forever. I can hardly wait.