The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 14:1-6, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

4 “And you know the way where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

If you’re of sufficient age to remember World War II, you may remember hearing the Andrews Sisters sing, “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile.” The song was obviously sung to heighten the spirits of the military, as well as those who remained home and prayed for their sons’ and daughters’ safe return.

There were (and are) songs that speak to us of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins. My bias may show through, but there are numerous songs that are seldom sung that speak of both His death and His resurrection—songs that heighten our spirits as we remember His words, “I will come again.” (v. 3).

It is quite certain that there were those in John’s day who were sorrowful concerning His death. The men on the Road to Emmaus number among them. It was understandably difficult for them to hear Jesus say, “I will come again.” Oh, they believed Him, but just the thought of losing Him for a brief time was sorrowful. We experience the same “emptiness” when we lose someone.

The most exciting words that bring us out of the doldrums come from Jesus: “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (v. 3). We have every reason to be excited! Every reason, if we have repented of our sins and committed our lives to Jesus Christ. While we are here, it is our obligation to encourage others to put their faith in Him as well!

We don’t have all the answers, but He does! And, as we are with our little ones, He will unpack the answers for us as we need to know and understand them!

Keep a good thought! And keep looking up!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom