The other side of the bed was empty.

Sounds like the makings of a good ol’ country song.

At times, it’s because someone left.

Other times, sadly, they were taken away.

The other side of the bed was empty.

 

Flying halfway across the country to sit with your daughter in a hospital.

Or awake in the middle of the night, making sure an ageing parent doesn’t fall.

That same ageing parent spent years working the night shift to feed his family.

Again, the other side of the bed was empty.

Necessary, but the other side needs you there too.

 

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Peter’s wife, but Jesus healed the mother-in-law, so there was a wife.

And the other side of the bed was empty.

I expect it was hard to her to complain when her other half was walking with Jesus. Literally walking with Jesus.

Maybe I should consider my long nights the same way.

 

The other side of the bed is still there, its blankets smoothed, its pillow fluffed… waiting.

When the time is through, I’ll climb back in its warmth and watch my precious bride breathe softly off to dream.

 

For those of you whose other half are in heaven, there is a place prepared for you as well, and your other half waits patiently to welcome you.

The Lord told Adam, “It is not good for you to be alone.”

If the other side of the bed is empty, know you are not alone.

You are never alone.

Jesus is with you there

Brushing the hair from your face

Gently rubbing your back in the stillness.

 

And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20