Coming Home

By   •   December 18, 2007

Her mother had died recently, and this would be the first Christmas without her.

“I used to go home in the evenings, and we’d have such good times together,” she said.

The day they put her in the hospital, the doctor had told the family to stay out of her room so that she could rest.

“So I stayed in the hall,” she continued, “waiting … listening. Finally I could stand it no longer, and I went in to her room. ‘I thought you’d never come!’ Mother said.”

Blinking back tears, the clerk added, with a smile, “You know, I’m thinking those will be the first words she will say to me when I get to heaven!”

The Bible says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15, KJV).

But why? I’ve never understood this verse.

Then I thought about the joyful preparations that I make when the children are going to return home for a visit. When I’m planning, deep down inside, there is a happy glow, a growing excitement.

I realized I have been looking at death from my perspective, and not from God’s point of view. Just as “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents,” (Luke 15:10) so too there is joy in heaven over each child of God who goes Home.

And that is what my friend, the clerk, really was saying.

Learn More:

  • Finding God Even in Brokenness» God’s grace is evident, even when we are disappointed and grief-stricken.
  • What’s There to Be Merry About?» Listen to Billy Graham explain what hope there is at Christmas, even in the midst of great tragedy.

    Read Billy Graham’s answers to questions about death:

  • How could I be happy in heaven, knowing that some of my loved ones may not be there with me?»
  • How can I be sure I’m going to heaven when I die?»
  • Does God know when every person is going to die, or is it all left up to chance?»
  • My husband unexpectedly died in his sleep six months ago, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. Can you help me?»
  • Our neighbor’s husband died a few months ago, and I feel so awkward because I don’t know what to say.»
  • Do you think we have a second chance to give our lives to Jesus and be saved after we die?»