It’s been a heavy season for our family. A few months ago, we faced the passing of our brother (my brother-in-law), which was difficult yet still carried moments of encouragement. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, mom (my mother-in-law) also went to be with the Lord. I’ve experienced loss before, but having both of these happen in the same year has left my heart deeply weighed down.

We had just returned from an amazing missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Mom had passed shortly before the trip, but we decided to continue with it and, upon returning, hold a service with the family to celebrate and remember her. Throughout the trip, even as my wife, sister-in-law, and I stayed focused, there was a constant heaviness in my chest. During one of our visits with a widow, I had a moment where she reminded me so much of Mom. It was so vivid that it felt like a glimpse of what it will be like to see her again, to hear her voice, feel her warmth, and hug her once more. That moment both encouraged me deeply and made me miss her even more.

I realized just how deeply her passing had hurt me. My mind went to Thanksgiving and Christmas, knowing that the food she cooked and the way the family would wait for her before we began will no longer happen. Even though we carried on with the missions trip and witnessed the Lord move powerfully, we’ve now returned and are preparing to gather as a family to remember her and mourn together.

When Mom was sick, I witnessed one of the most selfless, Christ-like acts I’ve ever seen. My wife, along with her sisters, took turns caring for her as her condition worsened. My wife, who works a full-time job, would spend the entire night with Mom, waking up almost every two hours to carry her, help her with whatever she needed, and then head to work in the morning. I have never seen a clearer example of Christ’s love in action. It was both humbling and an honor to see how Mom had raised such strong women who stepped up to care for her. My wife is one of the strongest people I know, and that was proven in the way she served Mom in her final moments.

This pain feels like weights tied to my heart. My chest constantly feels off, and my mood has been heavy and sad. That feeling didn’t go away, even while I was in the Dominican Republic. But as I preached at a church in Santiago from 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, I as reminded not to lose heart. Even though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. Paul describes our afflictions as light and momentary, pointing to them as preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Because of this, we can turn our focus from what is seen to what is unseen. It is a reminder to fix our eyes on the eternal where I will see Mom again.

I love you, Mom. Because of you, I was able to marry an amazing, strong woman of God who has given me strength and encouragement during the most challenging seasons of my life. Thank you for my sister-in-law who welcomed me into her home and helped me early in my faith. Thank you for my sister-in-law who has become one of my best friends, and for my sister-in-law who always greets me with a warm smile whenever I see her. Thank you for my family, for my sons, my daughter, my grandchildren, and all our loved ones. I am the man, husband, and father I am today because of your life.

Until we meet again in glory, you’ll be missed.