Inspiration from Petra Pierre - Robertson

Losing a loved one is painful This  blog is written for a young woman who is grieving the loss of her brother. I am responding to her in a blog so others who may be in the same dilemma may find answers and peace.  The young lady, who I will refer to as N, shared with me  her concern with respect to where her brother was.  "I just want to know where he is and if he is ok.  Is he up in heaven?  If so how is it the Bible says when God comes he would resurrect him?"   The concern of the young lady is echoed by so many who have lost loved ones.  It is so comforting to think that they are up in heaven.  But if they are in heaven how can 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 - 18 be explained?  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord...

Sing among the branches Psalm 104:12 (ESV) The birds of the heavens...sing among the branches.   "I thought birds sang sweetest in the morning. But I was wrong. They sing all through the day. I just didn't hear them since I was never home to listen...and even when home, the noises - cars, people, movement- crowded them out...but now...I hear them. They do sing...all through the day... #StayAtHome" (Petra Pierre - Robertson, April 23, 2020)   Ironically, exactly one year ago today, I came to this startling realization as I ‘worked from home’ in silence, during the height of lockdown, because of rising cases of COVID-19. Birds always sing!    They don't only sing when they are happy,  They don’t only sing only when they are free…   Singing a regular part of their daily activity They sing when they are working They sing when it is raining They sing when clouds are dark They sing when big dogs bark And although the songs differ based on the emotion or sit...

   "...I will come again …"     John 14: 3  He bolted upright in the bed seconds before scampering from under the blanket.   He ran out of the room on hearing the sound of the opening of the garage door; a sound which alerted him to his father’s departure.   He was not going to be left back today!      “Can I come with you daddy?”   he trailed sleepily behind his father.    “You are not yet ready.    Get some more sleep. I will return for you.” I will return for you He ran back into the room rummaged through the closet; pulled out his track pants,   t-shirt and socks, laying them out neatly on the bed; then he ran to the utility room for his sneakers, ran to the veranda and set them by the door. Then, secure in the promise of his father’s return, he climbed back into his bed, rolled on his side and fell back asleep.   And while his father tarried he slumbered and slept (Matthew 25:5) slee...