The Sunday Sermonette – Firsts.

Many historic Firsts have cascaded down the corridors of time. Many were awe-inspiring. Many have improved mankind. And many were downright astonishing. Come, let’s take a walk down time’s dusty hallways.

The first printed book was the Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1450. The first hourglass, instrumental in keeping time, was invented in the 8th century by a French monk. The first 3-D film, “The Power of Love,” was released in 1922. And in 1937, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

In 1876, the first words spoken on a telephone were, “Mr. Watson, come here!” 1945 was the first year food was cooked in a microwave. The dish? Popcorn. Robert Cornelius took the first “Selfie” in 1839. In the 1930s, Babe Ruth was arguably the first superstar in the history of any sport. And the first author to earn a billion dollars was J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter books and movies.

Our lives are filled with unique Firsts, each one a precious memory etched in the fabric of our existence. Do you remember your first kiss, your first Christmas memory? Other memorable Firsts include your first childhood home, your first day of school, and your first family vacation. These moments, like a familiar scent, bring back a flood of cherished memories.

However, some Firsts are not so pleasant, especially when they involve the death of a dear friend or loved one. Those Firsts after a death—birthdays, Holidays, wedding anniversaries—can be deeply challenging. Navigating through a year of Firsts conjures a range of emotions, each one a fresh paper cut slicing through an already open wound, like the first time someone sits in your loved one’s favorite chair, or, out of habit, you accidentally make their favorite coffee. While telling someone, “Mama passed away last Friday,” the words can stick in your throat; the past tense feels like you’re swallowing ground glass. Living through the Firsts of death, your body moves mechanically. You’re on autopilot. Grief can overwhelm you.

Dr. Billy Graham once said, “If you are walking through a time of grief, you know the agony of what it’s like to have a broken heart and to feel waves of despair wash over you. Grieving the loss of a loved one is a journey that each person must walk through individually, but God has promised to walk with you one step at a time.” It’s healthy to mourn, to grieve, to cry. Through His comfort, hope, and encouragement, God helps us bear our heartaches and losses.

When you trust God and Jesus with your life, you can rest easy, knowing that your soul will live eternally, even though your physical body dies. This trust assures you a place in Heaven, where a glorious reunion awaits between you and other believers whom you love and hold dear. It’s a promise that brings comfort and peace in the midst of grief.

Processing grief is never easy and is unique to each individual. There is no universal time limit on the process. Two months. A year. Maybe many years must pass before you can move forward. Learning to overcome grief may bring a tear, but for Believers, they should be tears of joy. Because your dear friend or loved one is Home, safe in the arms of God and Jesus for eternity.

If your friends and family don’t know God and Jesus, in love, talk to them. Point them toward an eternity that will be spent in Heaven and not in Hell. And if they do, one day they’ll experience one last First—their first day in Heaven forever.

Ponder this and go forth.