When a loved one dies, the love that you’ve had for them or with them does not die. Love and the relationship that you have had does not die with the person. You still carry that love with you and that is the reason you are grieving the loss.

With the person no longer available for you to express your love, it hurts and it drives your grief. However, love continues beyond death and its new outlet is the cherished memories.

After the passing of a loved one our relationship with them does not end, it just changes form. We now hold their memory dear and in doing that we have an outlet for the love and affection that lives on.

Here’s another thought for you: the closer you stay to God the easier the process of grieving becomes. Why? Because “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and God “alone is immortal” (1 Timothy 6:16 NIV).

Love is forever, God is forever, and God is love. So the closer you live to God, the greater the outlet is available to you to reciprocate the love that you have. Memories will make you happy and smile but as you grow in your relationship with God the greater your ongoing love will grow.

Granted, our love for God is not a romantic love but it is a love that fills the void within ourselves. It softens the hurt of grief and the pain of missing someone. Growing in our relationship with God builds our confidence that one day we’ll see our deceased loved-ones again in eternity.

Cherish the memories and grow closer to God.