This weekend our 15 year old nephew was killed by a car while walking home from a football game. We grieve for our loss, we grieve for his parents’ loss, for his 5 brothers’ loss, for the loss of the extended family, which is gathering in Baltimore as we speak. There is a hole in our hearts where Joey was. We treasure every memory, every photograph, every song he’s written, played, and posted online.
But we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We know with a certainty that we will see Joey again. We know that the relationship is not severed, but on “pause.” Paul wrote:
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
I believe that with every fiber of my being. Joey is worshiping, dancing, singing, leaping at the throne and in the arms of Jesus. (Are there keyboards in heaven?) I also believe there will be eternal results in the lives of others as a result of his life and death. The Joey d’Entremont story is not over. Not by a long shot.
I also know that Jesus is weeping with all of us as he wept at the death of Lazarus. He understands the emptiness we feel with the loss of a loved one.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
This verse speaks of a heart that is rent, ripped wide open. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit he speaks peace, assurance of His love, and so gives us comfort. And we do not fear death, but look forward to it as a homecoming that will come in its perfect timing.
Fearless 
Thank you so much for your clear words of faith and hope. You are a blessing!