Bible Reference: John - 14:2

In the small village of Strusselburg, there lived a little girl named, Helga, who was six years old. She was a very sad child who never, ever laughed. Her mother was concerned about her Helga, because she never even so much as smiled. The child had every reason to be happy. She had a little brother who thought that she was the greatest sister in the whole world. Her mother simply adored her, as did her father. They could not understand what was wrong with Helga.

Almost every day her mother said, "Now, Helga, I want you to laugh and play like all the other little boys and girls.

"I'll try, Mama," said Helga, looking very sad. Every day she went out to play with her friends, and this day was no exception.

The Heildebergs lived down the dirt road in a quaint little house with a thatched roof. There were three sisters and one brother, along with the dog and cat, that lived in the quaint house. The three sisters were named Sophie, Sherry, and Suzie. Their little brother was Wolfgang and they called him Wally for short. Of course, their mother and father lived there, as well.

"May I come over and play with you?" Helga said.

"Sure, " replied the oldest girl. "Come on Helga and I'll let you be Mary's mother," she replied.

Each of the girls had a baby doll and were pretending to be mothers with new babies. Wally was ignoring the girls as much as he could. After all, he did not want to play with girls. He would rather play with toy tractors. The children played until it was time to go in and eat, and then they said "Goodbye" to Helga.

"Goodbye," she replied. And once again she could feel the sadness coming.

When she returned home, mother was just putting the food in their plates.

"Cheer up, Helga," she said, "It can't be that bad." She took the little girl on her lap and put her arm around her. "Please tell me what is bothering you, child," she said as she kissed her on the forehead.

With the kind affection that was being shown to her, Helga began to cry, "Oh, Mommy, I never got to say goodbye to grandmother while she was sick, and now you say she went away to a land where she won't be sick anymore," she sobbed.

"So, that is what has been making you sad?" her mother said. “Here now child, let me dry your tears with my apron. The Lord is taking real good care of her, sweet one," she said with a tear in her eye. After embracing and kissing her kindly, she said, "Now, come on, Helga, it's time to eat." But she couldn't help noticing her sad expression.

The family sat around the fireplace and talked about the things that had happened that day, when father said, "Well, it is getting late, time for us to go to bed."

"Do I have to, Father?" Helga said in a whining voice.

He picked her up and kissed her, "You would never want to go to bed, would you, Helga," he retorted, as he began tickling her.

Mother came and tucked her in and said prayers with Helga. "Lord, she said, "Please help Helga not to be sad anymore. Thank you that you have heard me, in Jesus' name, amen"

It was no time at all until Helga was asleep. She dreamed that she was in a far away land. All the people in this land were peaceful and happiness was upon every face. The river that flowed close by was crystal clear, and the buildings were more beautiful than any she had ever seen. The streets were made of pure gold, and the flowers were so pretty they fairly shined in the soft light.

She saw a man walking toward her, It was Jesus. She had been told about Him. Jesus, who had prepared such a beautiful place, came and took her up on His lap.

"Little one," he said, "Don't be sad anymore. Your grandmother lives here along with many others. Did you know that there is no sickness, and nobody ever has to die here?"

Helga looked into the kind eyes of Jesus whom she already loved. She was anxious to hear more.

"There is no sin here or nothing that can hurt," he said softly. Just as He was talking, Helga screamed with delight - it was her grandmother! Jesus put her down gently, and she ran to meet her. She looked younger and she wasn't sick anymore.

"Grandmother!" laughing, as she shouted. Her grandmother swept her up into her arms. She embraced her and told her how much she loved her.

Helga wept as she told her grandmother, "I love you, too. I never got to tell you goodbye, Grandmother," she said, through tears. Once more she embraced Helga.

"I have to go now, Helga. Someday, you will come to live with me when through the Father's drawing power, you ask Jesus into your heart. I want you to know that I'll be waiting for you. Before she went, Helga smiled and tenderly said, "Goodbye, Grandmother."

Helga, having told her “Goodbye,” awakened in her bed. The birds were singing and Helga was no longer sad! "Goodbye, Grandmother," she said once again.

         
Doris J. Niswonger
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