When my mother died several years ago, some of my family members were lamenting the fact that her death brought "the end of an era" for our family. In an effort to encourage them, I began telling them that endings can bring new beginnings. We weren't meant to keep looking back. When we do, we get stuck. God wants His people continually moving forward. He wants us constantly looking ahead to the good things He has in front of us.

This doesn't mean that the Lord expects us to forget our loved ones when they leave this earth. Not at all. We should keep them in remembrance, and even talk about them to others. But a season of mourning should never become a lifetime of mourning. We can't leave one foot in the past and expect to move forward, as the Lord intends for us to do. When we are driving in our car, if we keep looking in our rearview mirror, we will eventually veer off course, and we will never get where we are supposed to go.

Our God is a "new beginning" God. He desires that we live our lives with great expectations about our future. The Message Bible puts it this way: "This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next, Papa?'" (Romans 8:15 MSG) I am eagerly looking ahead to the amazing new things the Lord has in store. How about you?

Prayer: Lord, when I suffer any kind of loss, help me to turn to You for the deep and lasting comfort, consolation, and healing that can only come from You. Work in my heart and mind so that I will keep looking forward, and don't let me get stuck in the past. Fill me with a sense of hopeful expectation for my future. Thank You that as I walk closely with You throughout each day, You will lead me along pleasant paths of peace, joy, breakthroughs, and blessings!