12/17/25 LOSING A LOVED ONE

12/17/25 LOSING A LOVED ONE

I don't use a walking cane at this point in my life, but I do have this one (in photo). My niece, Danielle, gave me this cane, which had belonged to her father (my brother), before he passed away. I keep it near the door to my rec room and use it daily to open and close my curtains. I do this as a daily reminder of my U.K. family. I did not even know I had a brother until 2013 (I was 66 years old). Lydia, Mark, and I then visited and met some of our U.K. family in England, Wales, and Scotland.

It is sad that we missed all those previous years with them. It is sad that I did not have more time with him. It is sad when we lose loved ones.

In a different sense, we all lose loved ones long before physical death separates us. The only real unifier is the One who delivers us from sin and death, Jesus Christ.

Christians often think about family members, both the living and deceased. We love and miss the ones who have died, and we hope for a reunion in the sky. We also miss the ones who are separated from us relationally because they choose to live for themselves rather than live for Jesus.

I get a warm feeling when I see this walking cane, but I am also reminded that this life is just a vapor. Lord, use me to help someone in their walk with Jesus today.