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Listen while you read: "O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile"1
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Wedding ceremonies shown in movies often feature the couple exchanging romantic vows in which they pledge to love each other forever. Similarly, a visit to a cemetery will reveal gravestones for couples with the caption, "Together Forever".
I first met my wife 73 years ago, and we were ultimately married, exchanging vows 66 years ago. In her latter months, she experienced significant pain. At the end of her time here on earth, my son and daughter helped me to do everything possible to help her and give her anything that she desired. But one week before she drew her final breath, she quietly said to me, "I know I'm going. Won't you come with me?" Her final request was to be together forever, and I couldn't fulfill it.
Not only is our time on earth God's to control, not ours, but Jesus also clearly stated that marriage is only "until death do us part".
Matthew 22:30 – At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (NIV)
On the other hand, this Good Friday, consider the sayings of Jesus when He lay dying on the cross, particularly His exchange with the repentant thief:
Luke 23:42-43 – Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)
Together forever.
We have the solemn promise of Jesus that a relationship with Him is the one connection in this world that cannot be broken by death, but will go on forever. Jesus was willing to die to pay the penalty of death for our sins, so that we could have a right relationship with God. If it was worth that much to Him, it is not something that we should take lightly, but rather value highly and pursue for all that we are worth.
Like me, you also can follow the lead of the repentant thief, ask for Jesus' forgiveness, and be granted the ultimate companionship of being together forever with Him.
Prayer: Dear Father, we thank You that You have made a way for us to be with You forever. We can understand Your love and faithfulness only in a tiny way, but we are grateful that You have given us Jesus to show us the way. Help us to be faithful so that we can be together forever. Amen.
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About the author:
Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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I hear you, Vincent and you are a blessing.
Thanks for the beautiful story, Vince. Happy Easter.
Amen Vincent.
Blessings.
Thank you for the important reminder on this Good Friday. God bless!
A really touching Devotional. Thanks for sharing!!
Praying that you have a Blessed Easter.
Thank you so much, Vincent, for leading us in a wonderful, Good Friday devotion.
Easter blessings to you and yours.
Thank you, Vince, for this mindful devotional today. Yes, we need be ever thankful that our relationship with Jesus is eternal. Blessings for your writings.
Well said Vincent! We do not know the number of our days. Today after two years we were able to lay my youngest brother to rest. And I voice those very words… we do not know. Blessings on your home and family!
Thank you for your testimony, and you must be in your 90’s already. My wife and I are still together after celebrating our 67th anniversary. Praise the Lord for His promises and His provisions. This morning I got an email with the song, “When We All Get To Heaven” from our daughter-in-law. It was touching. Blessings.
Hello Vincent,
Thank you for your Easter mailing. I have never been a member of any religious community but I appreciate any words that ring true and yours do.
I hope you are keeping well and I wish you all the best as you are carrying on with your good works.
So touching for someone to read who knew you both personally. I have been the last of my family of origin for many years now. I love the hope of Easter and our faith gives us much hope that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord and all those who have gone before us into His eternal presence. THANK YOU for this reminder.
Happy Easter Vince!
Vince,
I appreciate how your brain raps itself around a concept and then clearly explains what it means for you.
I have never looked at this from this perspective, and I was really moved by it. I am glad our relationship with Jesus is “together forever”. Thank you for sharing and continuing to come up with new perspectives.
Blessings.
Dear Vincent, I too lost my husband many years ago to cancer. Your perspective has brought me much peace as I met a wonderful gentleman in church and married him. I sometimes felt I betrayed my first husband by remarrying but also, know that it said “til death do we part” in the Bible. God Bless you for your insightful perspective. Somehow when I came to the end of this writing that I would find your name. You have a beautiful depth that God has blessed you with. Thank you and have a blessed Easter!
Good afternoon, Vincent,
You brought me to tears once again. I truly love your writing. I always wait for your devotional. I even catch myself some days scrolling to the bottom and checking when I know it’s almost your turn to write.
Your words are like a beautiful story or poem on paper and I am so blessed you write and share your personal stories.
I wish you a beautiful Easter weekend from Holland Nederlands and know you are in my prayers.
Take care and stay safe and healthy.
God Bless you always.
My Dear Friend Vincent. You always come through something so special, and this one is so very special. Three of our four children were with their incredible Dad, and me, had been with for many hours, and hadn’t eaten.
They each one loved him and told him they would be back in the morning as usual. They left the room so their Dad and Mother could have a time alone. He had everything in order long before he began to fail, and orders were that neither of us were to have extreme actions done to save our lives. He was ready to go Home. But as we were saying our good nights and words of love, little did know what the Lord had for us. When I woke up at 6:40 I prayed, “Please, Dear Lord take him Home as we’re so ready for him to be with You.” I got dressed, joined the family, and then received a call at 7:20 and to say he didn’t wake up. He told me it was 7:10 which was 30 minutes after I had asked the Lord to take him Home. Did we stand there and cry in a huddle? No, we were in a huddle with our arms raised thanking and praising the Lord for answering my prayer! My husband was a great man of God, a Presbyterian Pastor, and a Navy Chaplain serving God and Country and I always “served” with him.
I in my 90’s and in general good health. I pray the same for you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you! That was such a powerful message. Sometimes that exchange isn’t talked about, and I’m grateful to hear that. Thank you again for blessing me with this.
God bless.
Your Devotion really spoke to me.
I lost my beloved husband almost 7 years ago, but I still wear not only my wedding ring but also his and considered that we are merely separated and will be together again.
I don’t believe that I am breaking God’s direction “until death us do part.”
Thank you for your message.
Easter blessings.