The Ticking Watch

Avani threw herself onto her sister Daya's bed. "I miss Daya so much," she sobbed. "I don't see why God let her die after she got hurt in that car accident. He could have healed her!"Avani's mother wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter. Mom's eyes brimmed with tears. "I miss Daya too," she said, gently wiping the tears from Avani's eyes. "But remember that she was a Christian, so God did heal her when He took her to be with Him. Daya is with Jesus now.""I know," Avani said, more tears filling her eyes. "But it's hard to picture her in heaven with Jesus. I just keep seeing how she looked in the hospital.""I want to show you something," said Mom. She left the room. When she came back, she held out a small object. "Do you know what this is?"Avani took it and nodded. "It's the old locket watch Grandma gave Daya." She pushed the tiny knob on the side, and the cover sprang open. Avani could hear the watch inside ticking softly. "I thought this was smashed in the accident.""It was," said Mom. "The knob came off and the glass was shattered. The cover wouldn't close, and even the chain was broken. I was going to throw it away, but I could hear ticking, so I knew the clock inside was still working. I took it to a jeweler to see if he could fix it, and he did.""It looks as good as new," Avani said softly. She smiled a little. "It's like Daya, isn't it, Mom? Her body was broken in the accident and the doctors couldn't fix her, but Daya's soul didn't die. Jesus took her to heaven to be with Him.""That's right," said Mom. "And one day He will make her like new--just like the jeweler did for the locket. This locket can be broken again, but when God gives Daya her new body, it will be perfect and last forever. When Jesus returns, we'll be given perfect bodies too, and we'll see Daya again." Mom fastened the chain around Avani's neck. "I want you to have this now."Avani touched the locket. "Whenever I miss Daya, this will remind me that we'll all be together again someday." -Mary Rose Pearson