I once took a train from the airport in Philadelphia to my sister’s town 35 miles north. Though it was late at night, the train was crowded with people and more got on as we approached the city centre. As we proceeded north, more people exited than boarded and more and more seats became available. My destination was the last stop before the end of the line, and by the time we got there I was the only passenger left.

I liken this train ride to life’s journey. During our childhood, we are surrounded by our family and friends. As the years pass, our family grows and our number of friends increases. But sooner or later, we begin to experience loss. One by one, family and friends pass away.

As we travel through  our  senior  years,  more  and  more  people  dear to us exit our lives. If we live long enough, we may find ourselves the only remaining family member and with few, if any, close friends. But we have someone who will never leave us during life’s journey: Jesus Christ. He has promised that he will always be by our side (see Matthew 28:20). He goes with us all the way to the end of the line, until we reach our  heavenly home.

Prayer: Good Shepherd, comfort us with the assurance that you will be by our side in each season of our lives. Amen