During my junior year in high school, I had a major life-changing experience.
My father passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.
Left at home was my mother, my four younger sisters (ages 15, 13, 11 and 8) and me. As anyone could imagine, I was shocked, heartbroken, upset, confused, sad, and about 100 other emotions that I was having a hard time controlling.
Not only was my father, who I thought was invincible and would be around for many years to come, no longer with us, I was now the only male at home.
Who was I going to talk to about man stuff? Who was going to give me advice about sports and girls and life? Who was I going to go fishing and hunting with?
I also felt a great responsibility to take care of my mother and sisters that at times was overwhelming. It was a tough time for me for sure. In pondering where I gained the strength to get me through this time in my life, I realized that I was not left alone.
I had older brothers, uncles and family friends who stepped into many of those roles that my father had filled. I also had an amazing mother that loved and cared for me even when I acted like a typical teenage boy. However, the greatest source of strength was my firm belief and testimony in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In speaking of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul wrote “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Paul taught that “… Death is swallowed up in victory” and that God “…giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57 KJV)
Because of Jesus Christ’s victory over death through his resurrection, we will all be resurrected.
This means that I am able to see and be with my dad again someday.
What great comfort and hope this knowledge has provided to me over the years.
The “sting” of death has truly been swallowed up by the hope I have of seeing and being with my dad again. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he overcame sin and death because of his deep and abiding love for each of us. I also know that death is merely a temporary separation and that we will see our loved ones again. Jesus Christ truly was and continues to be my source of strength and light.
