Temporary Separation

Sharon Leigh Abbott
April 2, 1956 -  May 26, 1979

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died...Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words." (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

      Today is my friend, Sharon's, birthday. As newborns, we were in Dekalb Co. Hospital together, as five year olds, Mrs. Hulsey's kindergarten class together, and as teenagers, the class of '74 at Fort Payne High School together. After high school, I graduated from Auburn University, got married, and then moved to Louisiana. Sharon, on the other hand, graduated from the University of Alabama and then moved to...heaven. 

       Although separation from a loved one is exceedingly sad, for Christians who belong to Jesus Christ, separation is most-assuredly temporary!

       Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus!!!

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory! 1

1 WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN, Eliza E. Hewitt, 1898.