Those of you who know me are probably saying right now… “I thought you were an only child!” Well, I am… but at one time I wasn’t. Let me explain…
My brother was born on April 12, 1963. Due to severe birth deformaties he only lived a few hours. My little brother, Lloyd Ethridge, died on April 13, 1963. Today he would have been 44 years old.
I’ve wondered… would he be taller than me? Smarter than I am? Better looking? More athletic? Would he have had curley hair… blue or brown eyes? Would he have been a great singer? What kind of personality would he have had? Would I have nephews and neices by now? Would his kids like playing with my kids? Would we be close? The answer to that one is a decided yes!
The only memory I have is being at his funeral in Oneonta, Alabama and throwing rocks with my cousin Dale. Past that I do not have any memories of him. Although I never met him… even though we never played together… in spite of the fact that we never had the chance to get into fights and arguments… I miss my brother. There have been many times I wished he would have lived. But that was not God’s will.
But one day I will meet him! One day we will talk. One day I will see him, he will see me, and we willl hug… laugh… and spend many hours together catching up on things that only siblings can do. It won’t be in this life… it will be when I meet him in heaven. And oh how I look forward to that day! I know my mom looks forward to it too… much more than I do.
That brings me to two thoughts: 1) In heaven we will know our loved ones. 2) All babies who die go to heaven {Including miscarriages and aborted babies}.
About Knowing Our Loved Ones. The Apostles knew Jesus on sight after the resurrection. The relationship didn’t end, it was immesurably enhanced. When Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John immediately knew who they were even though they’d never met. So I think in heaven we not only know our loved ones, we will know every single person in heaven better than we know our closest friend on earth. And yes, I do think we’ll remember that we had a relationship with them in this life…
About All Babies Going To Heaven. Click to read Revelation 7:9. In this passage of Scripture people of EVERY nation, people, tribe, and language are in heaven as part of God’s family. The ONLY way this could be true is if all babies go to heaven when they die. I say that because some people groups live for generations without hearing the name of Jesus. I believe that it is the babies from those groups who died in their infancy that make up part of those who will be in heaven. Not only that, when David referred to his infant son who died, it is recorded he said this… “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). I take that to mean that when David died, he knew he’d see his child in heaven.
So Lloyd… one day I wil see you. On that day we’ll catch up on all the stuff we missed in this life. At that time we’ll get to know each other and have all the discussions we never got to have here. Just know that I love you and look forward to seeing you. God bless and be looking for me up there before too long.
Your Big Brother,
Ron
Ron, What a sweet tribute to your brother. There are so many babies in heaven. I have a sweet baby in heaven, my nephew Daniel. He was born October 10, 1987. He was very loved and never forgotten. Thank you for this insight to your softer, sensitive side. (side note…Mrs. Faye, I know you have many things to talk to Lloyd about.)
I’m so glad that I will know my grandmother I can’t wait to see her I miss her we have so much catching up to do. Thanks for sharing.
Pastor Ron –
I just wanted to let you know how touched I was by your very personal blog this morning. I’m sure you don’t know this, but Austin was not our first child. Jamie Dodson was stillborn to us on May 25, 1987. If he had lived, he would be 20 years old on Austin & Trey’s graduation. I plan to carry a box of kleenex around with me all day. I have so many friends and family who never fail to send me a card, or call, or just give me a hug on Jamie’s birthday – just to let me know they haven’t forgotten. It means so much….even after 20 years. I look foward to seeing him again in heaven too, and your blog expresses feelings that I have such a hard time putting into words. Thanks for sharing.
Bless you Alison! I hope that God will continue to heal you. Know that one day, you will see him in heaven. And oh what a glorious day that will be! God is a blessing to you through all His children who help and encourage you each year.
Ron
Pastor Ron-
I was touched by your letter to your brother. Noah has 2 big brothers in heaven. I look forward to the day that our family will all get to meet and be together for eternity. Thank you for being such a wonderful pastor.
Melody… One of the things that makes us long for heaven is what the reunions will be like. For you it’s two boys… for Alison it’s one… for my mom it’s one. But for us all it will be Jesus!
Bless you and thank you for your encouraging words!
Ron
My mother told me about your “blog” and that you offered such encouraging words to my sister, Alison. We think about Jamie so often and wonder, as you do about your brother, what he would be like now. Even though we still grieve and wonder, I know that one day I’ll see him. A friend of mine lost her baby this morning after 6 1/2 months pregnancy. When I was told, I “re-lived” the birth of Jamie. Alison has been such a wonderful witness to other mothers who never saw their children grow up, according to their dreams and hopes, and I am so glad that you touched her heart. May God’s blessings be upon you and I know that he holds you in the palm of his hand. I know that he holds on to Alison!
Tracy,
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. My prayer will be that she will be comforted by God as only He is able to do. Indeed His ways are above our ways and His thought above our thoughts. What God does is always good… ultimately… even though we don’t understand. Thus we trust Him. Bless you and thank you for your post!
Ron
Dear Brother Ron,
Thanks for dealing with the “tough” topics. You are always an encouragement. I preached in NC on Easter and was once again able to share how God always gives us everything we need for life and godliness — 2nd. Peter 1, are you surprised? This time, as part of the sermon, I shared about our four children that we are waiting to get to know in heaven one day. It was a good Easter. What a great way to spend the day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord — remembering that our four precious children (and Lloyd !!) are already in heaven with our risen Lord. I love you brother,
Kim