The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life. Proverbs 15:4a
Many healing words have been spoken over me in the last 24
hours. Today we mark 5 years without our
sweet Audrey here with us.
Even for a mama who has submitted herself to what I will
call “total immersion boot camp” in God’s Word and slogged stubbornly through
grief to experience more victory than most ever will--seeing things from Audrey’s
perspective is an uphill battle. My view
of Heaven is (still) too limited. It is
clouded by the things I have seen here on earth and the problems that are yet
unresolved.
Even my best hope is too dim. I need breadcrumbs. Reminders.
People to point me toward home.
My friend Andrea came to visit yesterday. In town for a funeral and to spend time with
her dying grandmother, she knows all too well the reality of this life. She is one of my favorite friends to spend
time with because she has an eternal perspective that sharpens mine. And, when I lose my ability to see the finish
line, she reminds me it is still there.
Even though she was exhausted, she would not get on that
plane home to Arizona without bringing me a gift in time for Audrey’s Heavenly
birthday—a beautiful silver James Avery pin depicting the love of mother and
child and a children’s devotional book called Thoughts to Make Your Heart
Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones, writer of The Jesus Storybook Bible.
I surprised even myself when I dissolved into a puddle of
tears and said, “I can’t wait to hold her again. But, I’m not sure I can even picture it
anymore.”
That’s what’s wrong.
I just can’t picture it. I can’t
SEE it. I have GOT to be able to
envision it, I thought to myself.
As we chatted into the wee hours, she shared a conversation
she had with her 5-year-old son Dean:
“Grandma is very sick and is not going to get better,”
Andrea prepared her son.
“I remember when you went to her 90th birthday
party last year,” Dean said thoughtfully.
After a long pause, he continued, “I guess she is not going
to have another birthday, is she?”
“No, she probably won’t,” his mother replied, “But, I think
birthday parties in Heaven are even better than the ones here.”
“Yep.” Dean’s little
mind and heart spun with imagination.
“Birthday parties in Heaven probably have mini-golf…and
trains…and a carousel…and little boats…and little airplanes to ride, just like
Kiddie Acres.”
Andrea, pondering the run-down appearance of the children’s amusement
park (and feeling a bit deflated) replied, “I bet so. But, it probably won’t be as barren or ugly
and would probably have some flowers instead of dead grass.”
Without missing a beat, Dean agreed, “Yes, it would probably have lots of beautiful
flowers…like Kauai Mini Golf!”
Ladies and gentlemen, the theology of babes. Gets right to the heart of the matter, doesn’t
it?
Do you see the obvious difference in the imagery? Kauai Mini Golf beats the pants off of Austin’s
Kiddie Acres (which, if I remember correctly, was a favorite of Andrea’s
growing up). Kiddie Acres doesn’t look
the same 30 years later and from a grown-up’s perspective. Somehow, it is worn and sad.
Our view of Heaven can likewise be dim. What happens when we restore it a bit? Adjust the color and brightness? Add in some lush landscaping and some real joy? In Heaven, even a place like Kiddie Acres will
be restored to its original brilliance. And,
yes, birthday parties there will rock!
My conclusion? Because
what I see here is lacking, my vision
of there better not be!
I could use an upgrade from my Kiddie Acres view to the
Kauai Mini Golf view. Especially today.
My guess is that you could, too. Is your perspective shortsighted and lacking
the grandeur worthy of the place God says He is preparing for those who love
Him? Is your image of Heaven a little
bit disappointing? Sister, there will be
no reason for disappointment once we see what God has planned for us. That’s a guarantee!
What is drawing your view earthward? What is robbing you of that more glorious,
pristine vision?
Follow these breadcrumbs with me: The One who created all
things and called them “good” is in the process of restoration. Imagine with me His shining masterpieces (His
people and His earth) returned to their former glory—free from the stain of unfulfilled
dreams, fear, and sadness and devoid of the evidence of decay. Clean.
Lush. Beautiful to behold. Fun.
Exciting. Ready to explore. Comforting.
Peaceful. Inviting soul’s rest. Safe. And,
truly free.
THIS, my friends, is what awaits us! And, though the tug of despair in this place
can be strong and though world-weary wear-and-tear abounds, the power of God’s
plan to redeem is stronger yet…holding more sway over my heart now than the
things I have suffered and seen.
One
day, John knew, Heaven would come down and mend God’s broken world and make it
our true, perfect home once again.
And
he knew, in some mysterious way that would be hard to explain, that everything
was going to be more wonderful for once having been so sad.
And
he knew then that the ending of The Story was going to be so great, it would
make all the sadness and tears and everything seem like just a shadow that is
chased away by the morning sun.
“I’m
on my way,” said Jesus. “I’ll be there
soon!”
John
came to the end of his book. But he didn’t
write “The End.” Because, of course,
that’s how stories finish. (And this one’s
not over yet.)
So
instead, he wrote: “Come quickly, Jesus!”
Which,
perhaps, is really just another way of saying…to be continued.
From
The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Audrey, I can’t wait to see what you see. I am trusting that everything will be more wonderful
for once having been so sad.
Andrea’s reminder of this truth and the countless joys I have yet to experience are the breadcrumbs that
will lead me home.
