Smiling Through Tears

Dying is a gradual diminishing and final vanishing over the horizon of life. When we watch a sailboat leaving port and moving toward the horizon, it becomes smaller and smaller until we can no longer see it. But we must trust that someone is standing on a faraway shore seeing that same sailboat become larger and larger until it reaches its new harbor. Death is a painful loss. When we return to our homes after a burial, our hearts are in grief. But when we think about the One standing at the other shore eagerly waiting to welcome our beloved friend into a new home, a smile can break through our tears.

For further reflection...

"The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

​This post was written by Henri Nouwen.  You can find his website here:  henrinouwen.org

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