12/24/21 THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE SOMETIMES PRECEDES DEATH

12/24/21 THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE SOMETIMES PRECEDES DEATH

Special times and certain songs remind us of special people. If the loved one is deceased we feel the loss greatly.
I think of mama and daddy, often.
Sometimes I think about watching Perry Como, especially around Christmas. When I watch those old Perry Como shows on the internet I think, "Daddy would like this."
Or when I am doing something we use to enjoy together, I think, "Daddy sure would enjoy this."
Or at certain times, when I am with my children or grandchildren, I think, "Man, would he get a kick out of this."
But those are no longer possibilities. Daddy is gone.

I miss you pop. (and no, I don't talk with the dead).

But there are other times we feel great sadness. It is when a gulf of separation (not simply geographical) comes between us and a loved one. It is sad when all indications are that the chasm will not be bridged. The beautiful memories, the fun times, the loving moments, during the good times and even the hard times, get pushed further back until it seems that you are the only one who remembers the the good and precious times of the past.

When a loved one has died, there is an emptiness that lingers, but when a relationship with a living loved one is being killed on a daily basis, the emptiness and hurt grows greater and greater, day by day, year by year, until all earthly contacts are impossible.

Of course, the pain of separation is maximized when someone is rebelling against God and His word. The pain of loss is not only because of momentary suffering, but because someone is choosing eternal separation from God.

The sadness is compounded by confusion when we see unsaved people who treat their loved ones with civility, courtesy and compassion, while those who come from Christian families are cold, distant, even callous.

What we see in the manger of Bethlehem is God, reaching, loving, caring and healing broken relationships. But some people don't care how broken their relationship is with other people, just as long as they get to be happy.