It was one of those rare times at our house when there was only one child around. Stevie’s older sisters were off at camps and on mission trips, so it was a good time for a father-son airport outing.

We had just left McDonald’s and were on our way to visit the cockpit of a DC-9 when Stevie surprised me. After I said, “This is fun, isn’t it?” he replied, almost sadly, “Yeah, but it’s not as much fun without Melissa.”

I figured his mind would be filled with thoughts of airplanes and burgers, so for him to think about his 8-year-old sister was unexpected.

His sentiment reminded me of how significant our loved ones are to us. When they’re away, our activities can’t make us stop thinking of them and wishing they were with us. That truth has special significance if we have loved ones who have died. The loss of their companionship is painful. Life is not the same without them.

In our sadness, though, God comforts us with the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4, which tells us that we do not need to “sorrow as others who have no hope” (v.13). We can look forward to the time when Jesus returns and we will be reunited with our believing loved ones. That truth is a big comfort when someone is gone.

  — Dave Branon