The Empty Seat

Those of you who know my family, surely know this man to my left! This is a picture of my Dad and myself on the way to church one Sunday morning.

My Dad has family and friends across the United States, Canada, and other countries (he served as a Missionary and Pastor for over 60 years, so you can imagine the number of people he came in contact with, throughout his lifetime). In March of this year, we found out he had pancreatic cancer. As the news spread to family and friends, it was difficult to keep everyone updated, so I attempted to achieve that through Facebook. I took a number of pictures on Sunday mornings, like the one above, to share with family and friends, letting them know we were thankful that he was through another week and we were on our way to church! It was his favorite day of the week! He wanted to go Worship the Lord with other believers, greeting them, and sharing what God was doing in his life!

Exactly 12 weeks from the day that we heard the words “pancreatic cancer”, I found myself in front of his casket. My heart physically hurt so bad I honestly thought I could be having a heart attack! But as I thought of Dad, I was thankful! He was finally in his eternal home! He was with His Savior and King, Jesus Christ! He was healed! He was rejoicing! He had no more sorrow or troubles! Still…I was here on earth…without him. Tears flowing down my face, I asked God how I would be able to make it without him? I felt a whisper in my spirit “I am with you! I am the Lord your God – I will never leave you! I will uphold you by My Righteous Right Hand!” I felt the peace that God promises in His Word, flood my heart and soul. Thank You, Heavenly Father!

As the weeks passed, there were tears! However, they were immediately followed with thankfulness to God that my Dad was in his perfect home! Thankful that I had the kind of Dad that my heart broke over! Thankful that I had an earthly father that taught me about my Heavenly Father! Some of the hardest days in the last months, were getting in the car, for my ride to church each Sunday morning. Although, I found that the Lord helped me through each drive, and often provided distractions that prevented me from focusing on the empty seat next to me.

I had made it through 13 weeks of Sundays… not without tears, but by God’s Grace! Each week seemed to be a little better than the last. Then all of sudden, the 14th week rolled around. All I could seem to see as I pulled out of our driveway, was the empty passenger’s seat! Fighting back tears, I stopped to take a picture like I had done with my Dad on numerous occasions. At that point, I honestly don’t know why. I NEVER take pictures when I’m sad – I never even think about “Hey, let me capture this sad moment to remember!” Nope, never happens with me, except this morning!?!? I forced a smile as water started to fill my eyes.

As soon as I snapped the picture, I started sobbing. Sitting at the stop sign, I couldn’t move. “Lord, it hurts so bad! I miss my Dad! Why can’t he still be here in the seat beside me?” Almost immediately, God reminded me of a story that Dad shared with me a couple years ago. He was telling me about my Grandma looking at Grandpa’s empty chair in the living room, after his passing. It was so hard for her to look at that empty chair, that she decided to move and sit in his chair. It helped her, as she wasn’t constantly looking at his “empty chair” anymore – she was sitting in it now! I smiled as he shared that story, and thought “what a sweet idea she had to help her through those difficult days.” Dad wasn’t done though… he said, “When Mom passed, I looked at her empty chair. The sadness hit my heart as I stared at it. Maybe I should go sit in it? No, I don’t think I will. Jesus is in that chair! I am not alone! He is with me! So, Linda, every time I saw that empty chair in our living room, I was reminded that I was not alone – Jesus was with me!” I turned to look at my empty passenger seat again and thanked God for the story Dad had shared with me. I don’t believe he shared it that day because he knew I would need it on August 29, 2021, but God sure did. “Thank you, Jesus, that I am not alone! That seat is not empty! You are with me!” So, I’m thankful that I was pushed to take that picture – to remind me that I am not alone! Jesus is always with me!

Maybe you are staring at an empty seat today…. if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that seat is NOT empty! He is always with you! He will never leave or forsake you! Thank Him that He is there in that seat! Turn your heart towards praising Him! Dad told me more times than I could possibly count “Linda, the key to a joyful life is to give God thanks in all circumstances!”

If you have not made that decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, do it today! We are not promised tomorrow! Please do not wait!

Pray this prayer now with a sincere heart – “Lord, I believe that You sent Your Son Jesus to this earth to be born of a virgin. I believe Jesus died on the cross, paying the penalty for my sins. I believe He rose again from the grave 3 days later, and now sits at Your right Hand in Heaven. Please forgive my sins. Please come into my heart and life. I give You my life. I want You to be my Savior and King! I want You to fill the emptiness in my life! You are my Creator and Lord. Come into my heart and life, and save me!” In Jesus Name, Amen!

(If you have questions, please email me!)

If you prayed that prayer, it is the greatest decision you have ever (or will ever) make! Make sure you pick up the Bible and ask Him to start showing you His truths, as you begin to read His Word. Find a church family so that you can grow and fellowship with other believers. And pray – make sure to spend time daily speaking with Him and being still to listen! Watch and see God move in your life! Remember, that as we walk the valleys and the mountaintops in this life here on earth, you are now never alone! AND, the BEST IS YET TO COME!

By His Grace,

+Linda