June 11
Facing the Unknown
with Faith
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms.
If that were not true, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
If I go and do that, I will come back.
And I will take you to be with me. Then you also will be where I am.”
John 14:1-3 (NIrV)
Ellie sat quietly on the porch swing, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows on her neatly trimmed garden. At 67, she was healthy and active, spending her days helping at the local library and doting on her grandchildren. But lately, a nagging thought had been keeping her awake at night: death.
It wasn’t fear, exactly, but an ache in her chest every time she thought about her life winding down. The years had passed too quickly, and now, Ellie found herself reflecting on all the things she still wanted to do. She wanted to take that trip to Scotland she’d dreamed of as a young woman. She wanted to finish the quilt she’d started years ago.
But it wasn’t just unfinished dreams that weighed on her. She worried about her husband, Charles, and how he would manage without her. Would her children remember the little lessons she’d tried so hard to teach them? What kind of legacy would she leave behind?
One Sunday morning, Ellie lingered in the pew after the church service had ended. The pastor had spoken about heaven, reading from John 14:1-3. As the sanctuary emptied, Ellie opened her Bible to those verses again. The words felt so personal: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
The promise of Jesus preparing a place for her in His Father’s house seemed so comforting, yet so hard to grasp. She whispered a quiet prayer: “Lord, I know You’re with me, but I’m still scared. Help me to trust in Your promise.”
That afternoon, Ellie sat with Charles, the man she had loved for over 40 years. “Charles,” she began hesitantly, “I’ve been thinking a lot about… when I’m not here anymore.” She looked down at her hands, afraid of how he might respond.
Charles reached for her hand and smiled gently. “Ellie, we’ve shared a lifetime of love, and God has been at the center of it all. We’ll face whatever comes, just as we always have—together, with Him.”
Ellie felt a tear slip down her cheek, but this time, it wasn’t from fear. It was peace. That night, she picked up her journal and began writing a letter to each of her children. She wanted them to know about the little things—her favorite recipes, her stories—but more than that, she wanted to pass down her faith, to remind them that they were never alone.
In the stillness of her room, Ellie opened her Bible again. The promise of Jesus preparing a place for her was no longer a vague concept. It was real. And she knew she could face tomorrow with peace, knowing that God had her life—and her eternity—in His hands.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the promise of peace and the assurance that You have prepared a place for us in Your house.
Like Ellie, we sometimes find ourselves troubled by the unknown and afraid of what lies ahead.
Please remind us that we can trust in You, knowing that You hold our lives in Your hands.
Help us to live each day with purpose, loving others and sharing the hope we have in You.
Give us courage to face our fears and faith to embrace Your promises.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
