A Message Left Behind

This particular visit seemed odd. We had traveled to my parents’ home on many occasions, but my father had never taken the time to discuss the pictures that were in the frames hanging on the wall. Many of them contained images of my two sons. Our third son, Noah, would not be born until about two years after my parents passed away in 2005. Most of the pictures were of my sons, Dad’s grandbabies. My father, in a rather cryptic manner said, “I suppose when we are gone one day, you will take all of these pictures off the wall and remove them from the frames?” His comment caught me off guard, but I responded, “I have never really thought about it, but I suppose that will be what we do. However, I hope to have you and mom for many years to come.”

Fast-forward to 2006 and a few months after both of my parents died within thirty-nine days of one another. The grief was still fresh, and I could still cry at the drop of a hat. I really wanted the world to stop for a few minutes so I could catch my breath regarding the synergistic grief I was experiencing. Consequently, we were going through things and removing pictures from the wall preparing to sell their home. It is hard going through the possessions of deceased loved ones, but alas, it had to be done.

Originally, I placed the pictures in boxes while still in their frames. It became obvious that taking the pictures out of the frames and placing them in a folder would make them easier for transport and storage. As I hastily removed the portraits, I glanced at the backs of the pictures to see at what age my children were photographed. There, in my father’s handwriting, on the back of my oldest son’s infant picture were written the words, “I hope to see you in heaven one day.”

I immediately broke down and started crying. As I sobbed, I called my wife into the room, and I showed her what was inscribed on the back of the picture. It was a message left behind for me to find one day and it was a tremendous source of comfort. You see, some years earlier, my father repented of some things that were amiss in his life, and he was restored. Prior to this, I wondered and worried if it would ever happen. His refusal to partake of the Lord’s Supper told me that he understood his condition too. He decided to be restored to Christ after his sister who lived in Texas died unexpectantly. When he died in 2005 of congestive heart failure, he was prepared to meet the Lord. Still, it was so very hard to be without him and mom.

Considering these things, Jesus left us a message behind also. He made a promise to His disciples regarding what He was about to accomplish at Calvary. He said in John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” In “preparing a place,” He made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we might be with Him eternally.

Before He ascended to the Father, He left another message regarding the salvation of our souls. He said in Mark 16:15-16 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus left a message for all of humankind, so that all might know the way that leads to eternal life - a way that we can follow.

In continuation of the idea expressed in John 14, Thomas seems puzzled about the “place” that Jesus was about to prepare for the disciples. He said in John 14:5-6, “…Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The message and the way are clearly outlined in scripture. All we must do is obey God’s word (Hebrews 5:8-9) so that we might have eternal life and never be parted from the faithful who have gone on to the reward before us.

This life is filled with sorrow, pain, and ultimately, one’s passing. This temporary separation is so hard, but the promise of Heaven means no more pain, sorrow, death, or bereavement. There are no greater promises in this life than a home waiting for us in heaven. One day, we will all be reunited with deceased loved ones and friends who were faithful Christians forever.

If my family and I remain faithful until Jesus returns or the time of our departures, we will be together again in Heaven. Revelation 21:4 says, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." The message inscribed on the back of my son’s picture reminded me of this hope in the midst of loss.