Christmas Reality

This Christmas has been bitter-sweet. In my last post I wrote about being in a temporary world on our way to an eternal home. At 6 am on Christmas morning Jeri’s (my wife) Grandma Raine went home to heaven.

Obviously, this was a difficult way to begin Christmas day, but something amazing had occurred. For the first time in many years the whole family was gathered in two locations. My father-in-love’s family were all together in Virginia Beach (this included our family). And, his sister’s family were all gathered in Michigan (where they live and were Grandma lived).

This provided us the chance to immediately truly be there for each other. It was hard, but we were all together! I praise God for working out these details.

Finally, these times are a little weird for me. When the person we “lose” is a believer, I have a tough time really getting overly upset. It absolutely hurts, but at the same time I rejoice because they have truly moved from the temporary life (with all its hurt and struggle) on to their eternal life (with no more tears). If anything, I’m a little jealous. I love life, I pray often that God’s mission for me will keep me hear for a long, long time, but when it’s time for me to go home – I’m ready!!

Even writing this is a bit weird because I’m really not in a hurry to get out of here, and you always here stories of people writing or saying something like this and then dying. Yet, it’s the truth, it’s how I feel, when I go home – celebrate for me!! And, I’ll look forward to seeing you there – what a party that will be!

Father, I pray that you will ease the pain we feel in our loss. You are the God of all comfort, and we lean on You in times like this. I thank you that we don’t grieve like those with no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). In Jesus’ name.

/D

Family Reunions

During the last week of June, my family and I enjoyed a family reunion at my parent’s house.

It was great!

Seeing so many of our family members (all of us growing up – well, physically anyway). There’s something about coming together with family. We have different interests, different views on some things, and even different spiritual beliefs, but we are still family – and we enjoy being together!

I realize not everyone has an earthly family like this – and that makes me sad.

The same can be true for our spiritual families – some get along, others don’t – but we are still family.

However, there’s one huge difference when it’s all said and done – when we have our final (and eternal) family reunion with the Father – all that divides us will be no more. That reunion will be incredible! If you can attempt to picture a family reunion with no “under-currents,” no “issues,” just a time of celebration and authentic love, then you’ll begin to see just a glimpse of what heaven will be like.

I’ve heard heaven described as sitting around all day on clouds playing harps, and frankly, that really doesn’t interest me at all. But I’ve also heard it described as a place where we are able to enjoy a real life free from all of the sin and hate that occupies our relationships here on earth.

Now, that’s exciting!

Thankfully, I do enjoy my earthly family reunions, but I can’t wait to be a part of the eternal reunion because of my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

/D

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