Our loved ones who have passed on have not ceased being, rather they have simply gone before us, but we have the promise that they will rise again as Jesus did. Because He conquered death, they will conquer death. Because He lives, they live. He loves us and understands that although we may grieve temporarily, we do hurt and we grieve. He reminds us in Isaiah 53:3, that Christ was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
The late Billy Graham said, “When we grieve over someone who has died in Christ, we are sorrowing not for them but for ourselves. Our grief isn’t a sign of weak faith, but of great love.”
The Ritchie & Johnson staff prays that you have blessings and favor in the New Year. We encourage you to call us at (304) 252-4115 or email us through our Contact page if you feel overwhelmed.