Missing Friendship

Missing Friendship

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.

When my sister Katrina died, the one thing that was particularly painful was how much I missed her friendship. I missed her listening ear when I’d had a hard day; I missed hearing her share about what had been happening with her life and children. I missed sitting together, watching our favorite TV shows, and going shopping at our favorite spots. I didn’t truly realize all the life that we’d shared together, and how it wouldn’t just be her person that I would miss, but all the things we’d shared together as friends.

I grieved the loss of time with her more than anything, and it’s an ache I still feel today whenever she comes to mind. In some ways, as the years pass, it’s even harder knowing that she isn’t here to see her children grow into young adults, or that she wasn’t here for the births or adoptions of any of my kids. I can’t ask her about keeping a house or how she hospitably opened her home to others. I can’t ask for any more decorating advice. It seems the little things are what I miss most. And although I take great comfort in the friends that God has brought to me, women who’ve become as close as sisters, I still wonder what Katrina would be doing today and what our lives would look like as sisters and friends.

I just miss her. And yet, I find comfort in Scripture. There is such great hope in knowing that Jesus will wipe away every tear that we have, death will be no more, and that all these things will be gone forever! What a promise. I can scarcely take it in! As we grieve the loss of loved ones, may this be our forever hope—this promise that we trust because he is forever faithful to each one of us.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Spend some time reflecting on the life of a loved one who is no longer alive on earth. Then send an encouraging message to someone else who may be missing them as well.