My heart ached as I sat there, listening to my dad speak. The wound of Aaron’s death is still so fresh, and my strained relationship with God only amplified my raw emotions. But my dad, or Opa as my sons lovingly call him, had suggested something that caught my attention: Aaron’s spirit may live on in my son, Andrew. He referenced the relationship between Elijah and John the Baptist.

I was uncomfortable with the idea at first, but as a human, it’s only natural to want to hold on to the ones we love. So I delved into research, hoping to find some answers.

Tears streamed down my face as I read through the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 11, verse 14, Jesus spoke of John the Baptist as the embodiment of the prophet Elijah. And in the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6, it was foretold that Elijah would return before the day of the Lord, turning the hearts of parents to their children and vice versa.

I couldn’t help but wonder if John had indeed been Elijah in spirit, preparing the way for Jesus just as Elijah had prepared the way for God’s people in the Old Testament. Theologians may still debate the nature of their connection, but one thing was clear to me – we must celebrate those who have come before by cherishing those who are still with us.

In that moment, I couldn’t help but think – if I had only an hour to live, who would I call? What would I say? What was I waiting for? Life is so precious, and we never know how much time we have left. So I made a vow to endeavor to cherish every moment, to hold my loved ones close, and to never take a single day for granted.

By Shaun Sima
https://chef-pocket.com/aboutme/

P.S. I post for my edification as part of my dedication to jumping into the deep end of the internet brand pool. My posts are part raw life journal and part discovery of my voice.

P.P.S There isn’t very much satisfaction in getting the world to accept your viewpoint and praise you. If you only want to hear your opinion, talk to the mirror.