Like walking from one room into the next...

My grandfather died today.
He has been ill.
He has aged well.
I am happy to know that he isn't suffering, that he is experiencing the hope he preached about in the back towns and countryside camp meetings of his Baptist roots. My mom, 3 aunts, and one uncle are grieving much. This was there last living parent.

BUT:
According to the Bible, we don't grieve like a person who has no hope (I Thess 4:13). We still grieve, we still have pain, and we still hurt. But we have hope. We shouldn't grieve as if this is the end.

What we consider loss is only temporary, for the end of this life is but a beginning of being wholeness, of clinging to the hope we have heard about over and over again. No, death is simply like walking from one room into the next.