Imagine if today you found out the Bozemans moved to Indiana!

Moved as in past tense. I mean they were gone. No note, no goodbyes, no forwarding address, no number to call to reach them. Never to return. Gone!

This might leave us feeling a mix of emotions. Some would be upset that they left without a word, as if they were snubbed. Some would be sad, missing them all the more as they realized the finality of it. If you had made dinner plans to go by their house for lunch today, what does that mean? What would you do now? What about the studies that Mike has - do they just end? Did he ask someone to take his place?

Some would be happy for them - at last Monica is in a place where she can spend time with family, in particular her parents and brother, who love her and are waiting to welcome her home.

Now suppose I had been promising one of you a house in the Rocky Mountains, with every luxury there ever was, fully paid for and yours for the having? I am just making this up as something you might dream about but what if? And suppose further that today I said, right in the middle of services, its time lets go. Now or never. In fact we are leaving this instant.

You would feel awkward. Not finish services? Not at least say goodbye to my friends? What about that roast I left cooking in the oven at home for Sunday dinner? I just got a promotion at work, or a big project is starting, now is not a good time. Who is going to take care of my pets? My obligations? My finances? Will my car be left here at the parking lot? Shouldn't I give the keys to someone? And l want to grab a suitcase, I have medicines, trinkets, all sorts of things I want to take with me. I don't even have my camera!

You might be mad at me for just snatching you away. You might be upset that the things you are responsible for are going to suffer. You might be nostalgic and want at least your pillow you can't sleep without. OR you might be excited, ready for the adventure, ready to leave and fully trusting in me to have made all the arrangements so things work out for the best.

You probably know I am talking about death today. A trip some will take to a place described as paradise. A friend once asked me, if I believe in heaven, why do I naturally still cling on to this life? Why aren't Christians happy the time has come for one of us to head on home, were a parent, God, and a brother, Jesus, are waiting for us along with other "family."

Truth be told - sometimes we fuss. We see the human, carnal side and we worry about what the "loss" means to those left behind. And I also point out that worldly people who have nothing to look forward to have the worst of it. If they were right, death is chaos. Who is going to take care of anything? They have no hope.

But Christians know there is one who loves them and is going to take care of all the arrangements when they leave service. For those, death is not loss but gain. They look forward to burdens being lifted away and to live rejoicing in a new home.

Though I admit it seems it will be hard leaving my gamecube games behind!

Randy