Our Lord has been pleased to call away to glory many of our dear loved ones. No words of men can make these trials easier, dry your tears, nor dispel your loneliness. But perhaps I can remind us of some things that we know and believe, and these shall be to us words of comfort.

1. They are WITH CHRIST IN GLORY. "To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord," and they would not come back to this earth even if they could.
    
2. They are PERFECT IN SOUL AND BODY! No-more sin, no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow! They are satisfied, for they are in His likeness-perfectly holy and happy
    
3. The have NO UNPLEASANT THOUGHT NOR MEMORIES of anyone nor anything on this earth. "The former things are passed away; for God makes all things new." Don't grieve over any neglect, deed, nor word; it is forgotten in His presence.
    
4. They WOULD NOT HAVE YOU GRIEVE FOR THEM, but rather rejoice in their graduation, promotion, and victory. "To die is gain" and eternal glory! Their trials and tribulations are over; soon ours shall be.
    
5. There is NO TIME IN GLORY! Days and years have to do with earth, not heaven. "With God a thousand years is a day." My son did not go to glory thirty years ago; he went there TODAY, and so shall we! Time is no more when we leave this earth.
    
6. They are GONE FOR THE PRESENT, and memories of them are sweet and shall be with us throughout this journey. Remember, we have a life to live ourselves, our God to glorify, our children and others to serve, love, and encourage. WE CANNOT LIVE IN THE PAST and spend our days complaining of God's providence. Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Sons and daughters, take up your parents' mantle and serve your generation faithfully.