A reader sent me a request today that I write about the times we struggle with faith. I'm pondering dear one. But for now I offer this post from five years ago. It's certainly not the answer to your question. The answer is probably I don't know. However, this is a truth I stand on when I'm struggling. High TideIn case you hadn’t noticed, life isn’t perfect. Cars crash, things break, families fight, wars start, pets die, medical tests loom and jobs are lost. It can feel like you are standing by the ocean and waves keep coming. Wading in the surf and anticipating that next cold wave to hit is a vulnerable place to be. I’ve talked to several people who are jumping waves recently. Naturally, questions abound. “Why is God letting this happen?” “Why me?” “Does it ever end?” The way to keep your balance when the waves are hitting is to make eternity your personal timeline. The thing about happiness in this life is to remember it isn’t about this life. It does not mean that the difficulties don’t hurt. But it puts that pain in perspective. It is not permanent. Matthew 6: 19 – 20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Want to know what kind of treasures you can store in heaven? AUTHORS: I love books. All kinds. My favorites though are by people who claim to know Jesus. When I get to heaven I plan on going and meeting all my favorite authors. I am going to have lunch with C.S. Lewis. On a side note, this is one of the many reasons to read the whole Bible. Do you know how embarrassing it’s going to be to be standing in heaven when Malachi comes up and asks how you liked his book? Awkward if you didn’t read it. FAMILY: I can’t wait to meet my mom’s father. He sounds like an incredible person. He died about four years before I was born. I want to see my cousin and my grandmother again. Talk about a good family reunion. It’s one of the many reasons I pray for my daughter and my niece and nephews. I want to see them there too. TEARS: Psalm 56:8 “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll are they not in your record?” I love that God sees us when we hurt and keeps track of those tears. Someday, we’ll have the joy of watching as He wipes them off the record permanently. In The Great Divorce, CS Lewis talks about how in heaven, Good ultimately wins everything and sadness and gloom and strife no longer have any sting. So cry deeply but briefly. God sees you. STORIES: My sister has a theory about heaven that one of the fun things to do will be to go hear about the stories you were a part of on Earth that you had no idea. Ever donate to a good cause? Want to meet the people who were impacted? How fun would that be. It’s a great past time, giving unexpected kindness. If you are having a bad day, do something nice for someone else. Store up a fun story for heaven. GRACE: If God created us to be in relationship with Him and each other then heaven is bound to be the best party. Ever been somewhere when old friends reunite? Ever introduce people you knew were going to hit it off? That’s the kind of relationships God is looking for. The best treasure to invest in here is in introducing people to eternal relationships. It doesn’t get better than friends forever. The last couple of weeks its seemed like high tide for people I love. I have a message of hope for you. I saw this quotation in a cubicle the other day. It’s a good perspective. “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not yet the end.”
Life isn’t perfect. Heaven is. Keep jumping waves.
2 Comments
7/17/2016 05:25:35 pm
Found you on Platform University site member forum. Trying to build my platform to encourage others in their faith! Blessings to you.
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7/29/2016 07:50:46 am
That was beautiful, Mindy! Thank you.
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About MeI love Jesus. I think my two daughters can change the world. I think you can too. Past Posts
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