 |
|---|
|
|---|
______________ ______________
|
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
 Over the past several months I have enjoyed participating in an e-panel for a Christian publisher. My service on this panel will conclude this month. The final question is excellent: How does your hope of heaven impact the way you live life on earth? What a great question! I thought I would share my reply: “Mom!” my eleven-year-old, daughter drew out the word with heavy pronunciation. It sounded more like Maw-u-m. I looked up at her. She was standing in the kitchen a few feet away, staring straight at me, arms akimbo. “Don’t go to Jupiter without me,” she stated with annoyance in her voice. I smiled as I considered our conversation. Just before this stern statement, I was preparing dinner, chopping away at a head of lettuce. I was absorbed in travel imaginings I might have when I become a permanent resident of Heaven. As Mini-Me was setting the table, I off-handedly stated, “Jupiter is one the first places I plan to visit after I arrive in Heaven.” My daughter was distraught. How dare I consider going on an adventure without her while she is still living on earth? She was quite serious. You see my daughter and I talk of heaven all the time. We dream, we plan, we giggle, and we save our imagined adventures in our hearts. We plan to visit the dinosaurs, pop in to witness Paul deliver his speech in Caesarea. Experience the Orion Nebula. We plan to ride horses and pick flowers. Visit the past, explore the present see the future, and talk with everyone in-between. Moses, John, Noah, Eve, Mary, to name a few. In the New Heaven and New Earth, you won’t find me in the city, though I plan to visit often. You will find me in the garden – Eden! I have already made my request to the Master for a gardening position on the planet, thank you very much. I dream, dream, dream, fully aware my imagination can run wild. I envision myself sitting on the marble steps of the throne room for a thousand years, gazing at the King, face-to-face. I have much to ask Him. I want to talk with the angels who were my protectors on earth. What was it like for them? I want to thank each and every person who pointed me toward Jesus. I want to hug everyone there. I know heaven may not be like my dreams. It will be far more fantastic! Heaven is very real. Because of heaven I have hope for today and for tomorrow. I am free to live the impossible. I am able to forgive the unforgivable. I am empowered to love lavishly! I can live fully! I am genuine when others are deceptive. I am optimistic in a world gone mad. Hope of heaven carries me when life is ugly, cruel, unfair, and dangerous. Hope removes fear, doubt, and cynicism. Hope of heaven is my lifeline.  One of the best parts of heaven is like a sea bird. Imagine the bird flying to the shore of an ocean where it picks up a grain of sand in its beak and flies away. Every million years, the bird returns for another grain. When the sand from the beach is finally gone, the bird moves on to another beach, then another, one-grain, one million years. The day the bird picks up the last gain of sand, is only the beginning of our time in heaven. Heaven is where I will spend my days delighted with the King, living fabulous adventures, and loving His children. I have hope for today. I trust God with tomorrow. I have heaven in my heart because I know the Redeemer of mankind, Jesus, the Messiah.  How does your hope of heaven impact the way you live life on earth? Labels: Heaven, Hope, Lynn's Articles
Comments:
that was wonderful to read
thanks im going to read to my son the dreaming what heaven part we have talking recently about what it might be like
Maybe because I'm a nurse, after I sit at Jesus' feet a long time, I want to see people free of illness and sickness. No more cancer, no MS, and all those things that ravish healthy bodies. I am so eager to see old relatives and friends again, especially my son. I think it will be so wonderful, being with Paul and Daniel. The list never ends!
Oh Amen!!! My Mom and I tease each other that we will be the stable hands. WE LOVE HORSES!! And I know there are horses there, for my Savior will return on one =))
I loved reading this first thing in the morning. Blessings.
Amen on the horse thing..! I'm hoping heaven will be like Rivendell in Lord of the Rings. Are you convinced I'm a nerd?
I love your graphics too Lynn... Awesome post!!
I loved your image of heaven. I will no longer live in the desert, but by the sea. My request is to have a room with a view of the ocean -- yeah, that keeps me going here on earth :)
Thank you so much for making me smile during my lunch. Blessings to you and yours.
I love that image of the bird and the grains of sand, how beautiful! Your sharing with your daughter all of your future adventures is so special!
Thanks for the great post! My hope of heaven doesn't impact my life enough! But it's starting to. God is so gracious with me. He has waited for me until I have realized that this really isn't the dress rehearsal for life--it's life. My decisions will either help me work out my salvation or they won't.
Jesus, thank you for your hope for today and eternal life with you tomorrow. In Your precious name, amen.
I escaped with you for a while to that place--so beautiful. I hope to be gardening with you, and your daughter.
Lynn, I think about heaven a lot, and recently I had begun to feel a little guilty about it because people seemed to be rehearsing that old saying, "Don't be so heavenly minded that you're no earthlygood." I wondered if I spent too much time looking forward and not moving forward in service. But after working through this, I don't feel guilty anymore. I just wonder if other people experience that. I loved the sea bird illustration and will share this with my kids. You can tell everyone who commented here appreciated being able to think forward a little while today!
Post a Comment
Links to this post: << Home
__________________________________________
|
The Internet Cafe is the team blog for Christian Women Online Magazine, "your daily dose of inspiration." It's a place to kick back, grab a virtual chair at our table, and allow God to fill your cup to running over. It's addictive, but only He can satisfy the craving of your soul.  Copy this code to link your site to The Internet Cafe
 ______________ 
______________
 Christian Women Online Blog Ring Join | List | Random ______________
_________________
|
CWO Cover
Bonnie Hooley
