Category Archives: Heaven

A Sure Thing

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I often think of Nate and his present-day surroundings. He’s four years gone from us, which translates to four years in the presence of Jesus. Scripture gives an inkling about what he’s experiencing, but for the most part it’s all a question mark.

???????????????????????????????While walking the Lake Michigan wave-line, which I often do, I keep my eyes on the stones underfoot. Because of winter’s wild waves, beach glass and choice rocks can easily be found at this time of year. Although I carried a collection bag, my mind was a million miles away, and I hadn’t picked up a single stone.

I was walking in a familiar place, but where was Nate walking? What was he doing? He’s already met Jesus and no doubt has been supernaturally humbled, falling to the ground as we all probably will when we see our Lord. Has Jesus touched him on the shoulder the way he did John? (Revelation 1:17) Has he said, “Don’t be afraid. Let me show you some of the marvels of Paradise and tell you things that will astound you.”?

Is he learning of specific times a guardian angel saved him from accidents? Or how his prayers were answered? Or what Jesus’ parables mean, even the ones that didn’t get written down? Has he been given answers to all of his questions?

As I walked along the beach, I felt left out. I know I’m headed for the same miraculous experiences Nate is now having and wouldn’t dream of rushing God’s time table to get there, but I just wanted to understand at least part of what was happening to him today. That’s all.

Watching hundreds of stones pass beneath my toes as I walked but picking up none, my eye suddenly landed on something special. Not even half an inch long, it was a stone of nondescript grey. The reason it caught my eye, though, was its square shape and the perfect heart carved inside it.

Heart rockI picked it up and stared at it. As I did, God flooded my mind with a message. “I realize you’re frustrated not knowing what’s happening to Nate. You’re also bothered by not being able to watch my interaction with him or listen in to our conversation. But what about the conversation I’m trying to have with you today? See that stone in your hand? With a million rocks under your feet, what were the odds you’d find that one?”

I knew the answer: a million to one.

Although there’s much I don’t know, I do know one critical thing. Jesus loves me and told me today. And as I turned toward home, I contributed to the conversation by saying, “Lord, I love you, too.”

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)

Huh?

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The last time I was in England visiting our son Hans and his young family, we began chatting about the Garden of Eden. We wondered aloud about its only residents, Eve and Adam, the mother and father of the entire human race. What did they look like? Were they tall? Small? Dark skinned? Light? Were they children? Teens? Twenty-somethings?

Adam and EveEnjoying our discussion, we talked about their language. Without ever pondering this before, I’ve always assumed they spoke English, a thought that’s comical now. But what, then, did they speak? Was it Hebrew? Greek? Aramaic?  Probably not.

Most likely it was a language that doesn’t exist today. Hans got me laughing when he said, “Maybe it was the language of clicks and whistles,” and then gave me his best impression. We agreed it was too late for either of us to master that one.

All of our children have studied foreign languages in school, but most can’t use them beyond Taco Bell or The Olive Garden. Although a two year old can become fluent in any language in about a year, the rest of us need multiple years to speak even a little. The older we get, the harder it is to make a foreign vocabulary “stick.”

It’s even difficult (and can be risky) traveling in a foreign country where we can’t read signs or understand people. Mary and I once got so lost in Sweden we thought we’d have to spend the night under a bridge. Although we had a car, a full gas tank, Swedish money, and two fairly good brains, trying to follow verbal directions without the language was hopeless.

I’ve so loved listening to my grandchildren learn to speak between their first and second birthdays. I remember the day a bunch of us walked the four blocks to my mailbox with a 22-month-old Skylar running circles around the rest of us. Somebody said, “It’s a little chilly.”

Skylar immediately picked up on it. “It’s a little chilly, Mommy. It’s a little chilly, Weezi. It’s a little chilly, Gitta. It’s a little chilly, Midgee.” As she skipped along, she repeated these new words 20 times over until we were stumbling along the road with laughter. But Skylar was simply learning a language.

Klaus and SkylarNo doubt heaven will have its own language made up of words none of us could ever find in an earthly dictionary. When we first arrive in that new “country,” however, and are still learning to speak the language, surely the Lord will make a way for us to communicate with each other. Maybe it’ll be by way of the one language that’s universal even here on earth : music. If so, that’ll factor in nicely with singing our praises to God.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness.” (Psalm 100:1-2)

 

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. I praise God for the perfect peace he gave me during today’s infusion. (Lam. 3:57) Please pray against nausea tonight and tomorrow, which is only mild so far, PTL.
  2. I’m thankful my feeding tube feels a little better today.

A Stoner

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Some people would say I’ve got rocks in my head, probably with rock-solid reasons. There’s no end to my fascination with stones. Despite there being unnumbered practical uses for rocks, their real appeal is their striking colors and patterns, each telling a tale of origin. God gets all the credit, and collecting and appreciating stones is, in my mind, an activity bordering on worship.

???????????????????????????????Tonight Jack and I couldn’t wait to get to the beach, and we arrived an hour ahead of the sunset. At the water line we were greeted with the mother-lode of beach stones as far as the eye could see. Never without a plastic bag in my pocket (available for collection of dog-product or stones, whichever comes first), I dropped to my knees and began picking through the bounty. Speckled, black, pink, gold, fossil-imprinted, pearl-like, striped and flecked. What’s not to love?

While bagging rocks, I sometimes think of the biblical description of the New Heaven. Part of it is a list of the different stones God plans to use in its construction:

  • Gemstonessapphire
  • emerald
  • carnelian
  • chrysolite
  • beryl
  • topaz
  • amethyst
  • jacinth
  • chrysoprase
  • jasper
  • agate
  • onyx
  • pure gold, as clear as glass

After studying descriptions of each of these foundational stones, I realized the majority of them are “see-through.” As someone who is moved by the beauty of earthly rocks, I can’t imagine the thrill of gazing at a city with massive walls and foundations constructed from these precious stones. I don’t think I could even look at it without a bag to breathe into. That’s probably just one of the many reasons we can’t be transported to heaven without first being changed.

I fully believe the wonders of heaven will knock us flat, even before we get a glimpse of God the Father or Jesus the Son. After all, several biblical personalities were given a quick peek, and falling flat was exactly what happened to them.

When I think about the splendor of heaven, I wonder if we’ll be permitted to look into God’s throne room. Revelation 4 describes this incredible scene with beautiful stones, too: “The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones… and the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.”

God has a gorgeous dwelling place planned for us, and while I’m waiting for the transformation necessary to witness it, I’m going to enjoy hunting for beach stones that are, for now, as stunning as I can stand.

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye…Those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please pray about Monday’s infusion #6, completing the first third of my chemo. Thanks for continuing to pray against nausea.
  2. I’m thankful for a good weekend with family and dear friends.