Heaven -- Heavy on My Mind

The children and I climbed in to the car, and headed off to school.

The youngest one broke the silence with her sweet voice.

“I had a weird and interesting feeling this morning, Mom, ” she said.

I replied, “Hmmm.  What was that? Are you feeling okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine.  I just had this feeling like I wanted to be with God in heaven.”

A couple things crossed my mind, but I figured it was best to let her expound, rather than insert my own thoughts.

“What would you do if you were there right now?” I queried.

“Laugh with God, ”she giggled. “I’d crawl up in to God’s lap and have lots of snuggles.”

That started our conversation on heaven on the way to school today.   We talked about what it will look like and feel like, and who they looked forward to seeing the most when they get there.

Other than Jesus, I was surprised by what they all said -- “Parker.” 

What surprised me is that Parker isn’t even in heaven yet. He’s still here on earth.

Parker is my son and their older brother.  Born with a physical disability, cerebral palsy, Parker struggles to stand and walk. His legs are weak and tight.  A young man now, life has not always been easy for Parker. 

“Parker? Why Parker?”  I asked.

And one after the other, they each went on to explain.

“It’s just going to be very cool.  He’s going to have a new body and new legs. He’s going to be able to run and jump. He’s not going to struggle anymore. We can hardly wait to see him run free. And he'll be so excited and happy!”

And I agreed. It's going to be "very cool."

So, I’ve had heaven heavy on my mind today.  I’m picturing my Father and I, laughing, snuggled up, surrounded in great comfort. And I’m picturing Jesus. What a glorious sight it will be, and how my heart will sigh joy and rest.  And I’m picturing Parker, free from the struggle of the cerebral palsy. And I’m picturing me and you and my friends and family, free from disappointments and broken hearts and ailments and sorrow.

This life? It’s but a vapor. In the twinkling of an eye, it will all be different. No more tears. No more sorrow.  No more pain.  Just joy. And tons of it.

I don’t about you, but it helps me get through today and tomorrow and as many tomorrows as the Lord shall give. It helps me to love the Lord more, serve Him more selflessly, persevere though the pain, and love others as He has loved me.

What about you?  Ever have heaven heavy on your mind? Who are you most looking forward to seeing, and why? 

Anticipating Our Heavenly Home

"Are we there yet?"
"Are we almost there now?"
"When are we going to be there?"

It is almost always some variation of the above. No matter whether we are going to grandma's, to school, or to the grocery store, my youngest is eager to know when we are going to arrive. I suspect you have experienced the same thing, if you've ever been the parent or passenger in a car with kids.

Then no matter what I answer, she responds with, "Is that a long time?"

I'm not sure if her questions come from excitement over the destination or weariness over being in the car yet again. She is the baby (she'd say the little sister!) of 5 children and does spend alot of time being shuffled around in the car.

I thought today, "I wish I knew the answer, dear." I wasn't thinking of how long it was going to take to get to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, but I was thinking of Heaven.

I think that there is a vein in all of us that runs with the question "When are we going to get there or when will Jesus come again?" Is it due to the anticipation of arriving in the presence of the Lord and experience the beauty and glory of Heaven where we will be able to worship God day and night or the eagerness to part from our troubles here and have it all behind us?

I am sure it is both, but as we walk through difficulties our hunger for heaven seems to be at a peak. The life hear can become weary, almost seeming futile. The battles can be intense. The grief over relationships lost can be deep. The storms can be torrential; the emptiness, vast; physical pain overwhelming; uncertainties lurking at every corner.

We are caught in the tension of living for the Lord in today, no matter what He has for us, blessings or pain, and yet pressing on, persevering, towards what He has called us to in Jesus, in Heaven (Philippians 3:14).

A friend of mine reminded me of a song that mutual friends of ours wrote, "There is a Place." Dear reader, if you are struggling, today, like I am, wanting to glorify God in the now in the midst of all sorts of uncertainty and trials, and yet tired and yearning for our heavenly home, I hope it will encourage you. You can link to the song at: http://www.philipmusic.com/There_is_a_Place.html .

"Is it a long time?" That's what my daughter asks. I ask it of the Lord, too. How long until He comes and takes us home? I'm not sure, but I will continue to persevere for Him in this life, in His Word and in His love until He chooses the perfect time, and then I will run and embrace Him, and I will be whole. I know that He has alot of work for each one of us to do, now, as we shine for Him in a world where there is much pain and much need for the love of Jesus. I thank Him that we are His ambassadors. However, what a comfort to know that God will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). All will be well.

Are we Home or Guest?

I sat on the firm wooden bleacher, wrapped up in my winter coat. Listening and watching the shuffle of the feet of 9 year old boys hustling down the basketball court and the rhythmic beat of the basketball, I snuggled in with my children and watched the game. It was an indoor game but in the northern states, early morning basketball games still mean wearing your winter coat while the cold gym warms up for another day of activity. It's cold.

The red letters on the score board jumped out from against the drab background. "Home 15, Guest 16."

"Are we home or guest, mom?" one of my daughters asked. We were Home.

Her question did get me thinking. How do we live? As if we are Home or Guest? In times of prosperity or times of trial, where do we claim our home to be? God's Word tells us that this is not our home. We are guests. Heaven is our home.

Now, basketball can be challenging (especially when you are 9 years old), but life can be really hard (regardless of your age, 9 or 90.) Life, like a basketball game, has its high times (like making a basket), its mundane times (like shuffling up and down the court) and its low times (like fouling or being fouled, or even being put out of the game). Sometimes it feels like in this place we are down by one point (or more), more frequently, than not. We need to remember, though, that we are guests. But life is not a game; life is fragile and requires a great amount of long-suffering and faith, to name a few things.

Jesus provides us comfort, though. He says in John 14, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going" (verses 1-4).

Jesus is the way and He tells us that in being so, He also goes before us and prepares a place for us. He will come back some day and take us to that beautiful place, where we will live in our heavenly home, with Him, forever. We are guests here, traveling on the paths that God has asked us to walk on. We struggle, but sing; hurt, but hope; trial, but trust.

This gives me great encouragement tonite to look toward a special place that Jesus has prepared just for me; just for you. Dear reader, take heart, do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust in Jesus.