I have attempted to offer you a Nutshell Thought of our 15 months of separation. I've come up with some small grains, so I offer them to you.
No matter how painful or endless or devastating, or filled with joy or fulfillment or purpose....or tragedy, trauma, or sacrifice---- life just goes on. It goes on.....and then *poof* it's all over, and Heaven begins. God has frequently shown me the parallels between Ben's and my journey through deployment and the journey of Life into Eternity.
The things we have been through in 15 months are not unlike how the rest of our lives will be---going from highs to lows....then just plateauing....then lows, then highs.......but always moving forward to one day the glorious, beautiful finish...filled with rest, new life, joy, and best of all, His Perfect Presence for eternity. Thank God---thank GOD that it doesn't end here on earth.
I am ashamed to think, however, how seldom I affix my hope on HEAVEN. Whereas, over the last 15 months, I have done nothing but count the days till Ben's return. HEAVEN--people!!! It's HEAVEN!!! We should be more excited over that upcoming glory than I am over my husband coming home from Iraq!! ARE YOU???? Think about it. It will enrich your life. Your heart will overflow! Mine has.
It is a goal of mine, now, to maintain this passionate expectation and to affix my eyes on HEAVEN, and the return of Christ, now that I no longer mourn my husband's absence. I really can think of nothing better to do than that!
3 comments:
Good thoughts Susi. Perspective is one of those things that it's so difficult to maintain. You're right about heaven. Our lives are so small here when measured against Eternity. So why do we freat and care so much for this life? We're frail humans, but I think as Christ-followers it's our duty to continually remind ourselves of our Real Home.
Just a few more days!
I don't think I've ever lived in a place where I've truly felt like "OK, this is where I'm going to be for the rest of my life". I've never felt "settled" --even now with a husband and child. I always seem to be waiting for the next move that God wants to make in my life - the next opening He gives me. It's a little disturbing sometimes to be so unsettled, but at the same time I'm thankful that God has given me a faith in that direction. "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through!"
Heaven's coming, but God wants us to live purposefully now and enjoy what He provides for us DAILY:) We must learn to love what He's given us -- for who knows better than the One Who loves us most, what we most need?
Glad to hear you're feeling better! We missed you at the Zoo on Saturday! Hope to see you soon!
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