Together Forever

We’ve probably all received those distressing messages before, someone letting us know about a loved one who either passed away or soon could. On the first day of this week my sister told us that Mom was in the hospital, possibly due to a problem with her heart. Later Dad explained to family and friends that a test result would soon reveal whether her discomfort had been caused by a heart attack. We waited and prayed; at last we learned that all was well with Mom and her heart.

What joy when upsetting situations turn around! The next day I expressed my thankfulness for the good report, and my sorrow over the initial one. Mom replied with this message on the upside to loss for those in Christ:

“Always remember that the day I leave this world, will not be good-bye. I will be waiting for you again in heaven. We will have forever together, and with others that we love! Forever, and never to be parted again. Our God is so good!”

Lost and Found

At first I figured I could find the way by myself. After all, I found that faint path through a small swath of woods—how could anybody lose her way? Soon I spied the apple tree—that woodsy spot where I like to pray, think, delight in autumn’s scenes and spicy scent. But at some point I became bewildered amid the slippery mud and scraggly trees. Finally I hollered for help and followed the finder back to the path.

Could that be somewhat similar to salvation? At a certain point in life I learned of my lostness; I realized my need to be rescued. And I have followed my Savior ever since.

Because of the Blood

One morning my children scrambled around, readying anniversary cards to send to their grandparents; finally a fat envelope found its way into the mailbox. But that afternoon the postal carrier drove right on by without stopping—somebody had forgotten to raise the flag.

The next time something important needed to be mailed I announced, “And the flag must be put up!” I gave that reminder the next time too, because I definitely want the mailman to know when we have something to send. This inspired me to ponder the great importance of that little red flag; the postal carrier knows that when he sees that sign, he must take note.

Similarly, when my heavenly Father sees the blood of Christ applied, God graciously accepts sinners as His children—not because we deserve this gift, but because of the blood.

A Package Full of Pride

When I finished packing a box full of gifts to send in the mail, I congratulated myself on a job well done. I proclaimed to my children, “I packed this box almost as well as Daddy would have—almost.” (Plus, I figured I deserved some bonus points, because I had not overused packing material the way I think my husband does.) I gave the box a shake to show that nothing would be jostled on the long journey south. Nothing budged. Then I noticed something on my desk—one of the small gifts that was supposed to be safely nestled inside that box! Humbled, I emptied most of the contents, added the missing item, and then repacked the rest. But this time the thing I forgot was to take any pride in my packing job.

Sowing Season

In the backyard under a layer of leaves, a pair of pink-handled scissors lay. One sibling discovered them, another had lost them, and the third took an interest. She let the scissors soak in vinegar for a few days to remove the rust. Then she scrubbed them clean and washed away the sour scent.

“Well that was a big waste of time,” she lamented. “I tried to cut a piece of cardstock, and the scissors broke.” But had it really been a waste of time? After all, her effort could have produced a perfectly sturdy pair of scissors.

We never know what good could come from sowing seeds of kindness into the lives of others; why not give it our all? Even if one attempt ends in disappointment, the next could serve as a dazzling display of what wonders God can work through His children. Galatians 6:9 encourages us to never give up: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Sowing Seed

A few fellows from the construction crew stood in the customer’s front yard, observing a slight lack of lawn. The company’s heavy machinery had been used to successfully install a septic system, but had failed to keep a good-size swath of grass in its usual spot. So the workers raked soil and then scattered seed to remedy the situation. They could not know how much grass would grow; their job was simply to sow.

Spiritually speaking, the Word of God is the seed; the soil is the human heart. The believer’s part? To faithfully, fervently sow the seed.

Hills and Holiness

Mostly I prefer avoiding hills, but if I take a walk to the nearby brook and back, at times I must go up. In summer’s heat this means sweat and sore muscles. In May I headed for the hilly road, making my way to the brook; a chilly rain tagged along. But no matter what the weather happens to be like, I will get a good workout from ascending those hills.

Why do hills of difficulty so often pop up in the Christian life? To humble us, to exercise muscles of trust, to increase endurance. God wants to use our tough times to assist us on the road to holiness; little progress comes from shuffling along the flat part. But take heart—when we reach Home we shall find refreshment and rest.