Daily Devotional for July 19, 2021
Family Reunion
“Mom, why are you crying?” asked Lily as they drove away from the family reunion.
“I’m sad to leave my cousins and aunts and uncles,” her mom replied as she turned the car away from the retreat center and onto the highway.
“That’s how I feel about leaving my brothers too,” Grandpa said. “We have so many things to talk about, and it feels like we just never have enough time.”
“Why can’t we all just stay together?” asked Lily.
“Well, we live far apart from each other, and we all have jobs and schools and pets to get home to,” said Mom. “So even though the reunion is fun and special, it eventually has to come to an end.”
Grandpa smiled back at Lily from the passenger seat. “But one day we’ll get to go to a reunion that will never end.”
“What do you mean, Grandpa?” Lily asked. “Are you talking about heaven?”
Grandpa nodded. “The Bible says Jesus is preparing a special place for us where we will live with Him forever.”
“Will there be a fireplace and s’mores there too?” Lily asked.
Grandpa chuckled. “Well, I don’t know exactly what it will be like, but I know there will be good food and warm conversation. The place Jesus is preparing will be full of good things. Jesus told his disciples, ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms.’ Some versions of the Bible translate the word ‘rooms’ as ‘mansions.’ Whether it’s a room or a mansion, you can be sure it will be a wonderful place to live with plenty of room for everyone!”
“Will all my cousins be there?” asked Lily.
Grandpa reached into his travel bag and pulled out his Bible. “The answer to that question depends on your cousins. Romans 6:23 says that what we deserve because of our sin is to be separated from God, but that He has given us the gift of eternal life. A few chapters over, it says, ‘If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ If you, your cousins, and everyone else in our family trust in Jesus for his gift of eternal life, we will all be together with Him in heaven someday.”
-Karen McMillan
How about you?
Will you be in the place Jesus is preparing for those who trust in Him? It will be a wonderful place where all God’s children will live with Him forever. Have you trusted Jesus to forgive your sins? There is no better time than today to put your faith in Him and be saved. Then you can look forward to an eternal family reunion!
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