Last year on this date was the last time I talked to my friend Patty. She was in the hospital and died two days later. I miss her.

Grief is a universal experience. Everyone at some time will go through a time of grief. Working in churches and at a hospice, I’ve observed grief. I’ve also been a participant in that wilderness journey that no one ever wants to take.

As a culture we shy away from grief. The Scriptures do not. From Genesis to Revelation, there are examples of people grieving. And one of the most precious promises of God comes at the end of the book in Revelation where God promises grief’s end.

“[John] heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’” [Revelation 21:3-5 NLT]

We can look forward to an end to death, sorrow, crying and pain. In the meantime, while we dwell on this earth where death, sorrow, crying, and pain are universal, we have the promise of God’s comfort.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” [1Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT]

So, today, I will mourn my friend Patty with tears. I will reach out to the God of All Comfort. And I will look forward to the promise that one day there will be no more death, sorrow, crying and pain. Amen & Amen