We Mourn

At some point in our families, we must deal with death. Although we wish to bubble wrap our children in the sunshine and spring-blue skies, they will confront it, too.

My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (CEV)

We need to attend carefully to the subject. Find time to remember, grieve, and walk your children through the mourning process by leading the way. Tell them how much the person meant to you. Share stories of things they did. Talk about why you will miss them.

The grieving process doesn’t end after a carefully planned memorial service or a well-written eulogy. We don’t shrug and try to forget or shield our children from the pain. We don’t ignore and deny. We don’t grasp the wispy wishes of them living on in memories. We don’t push quickly to the happy surface and demand our kids get over it. We grieve. But thankfully, as believers, our grief is accompanied by great hope.

Our grief makes its way out of the grave onto the hope of the resurrection in Christ. Death is only part of the story. It is incomplete without talking about everlasting life for those who die after trusting Jesus. Imagine with your kids what it will be like to be with their loved ones in heaven. If the deceased were not believers of Jesus, as far as you know, assure your kids that God will fairly judge them, then discuss how reassuring it is to know that we can live forever.

Make time to mourn. Remember. Grieve well. Hope well. And talk with your children through it all.

PRAY

Lord, my heart hurts. Losing a loved one is truly painful. Only you can bring hope out of it. Please help us handle this rightly. We wait for when we can all be together with you. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): Why do you think it’s important to remember those we have lost?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

John 5:24

Revelation 21:4