Heaven or Earth?

My sister suffered butchering at the hands of the medical establishment. Although, they did the best they could as human beings with limited knowledge and abilities, she still suffered the consequences of their actions.

In light of what was inflicted upon her (which began with undetected cancer), she knew she could never return to life as it had been. She loved her life as a hairdresser, her precious children and grandchildren, her husband of over forty years. At some point, the new body promised by her Savior looked better than what she would have had if she had remained on this earth. It may not have been a conscious decision, but I believe her spirit began to long for her real home. Paul writes in 2 Cor. 5:8 - "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

Goodbye 2010

Looking back at this past year leaves me with mixed feelings. The loss of my sister left me the only survivor of my birth family. Some days, I feel the loneliness of that role, especially when I want to pick up the phone and share a joy or a sorrow.

The joy I experience in volunteer cooking at our church leaves me feeling God still has a purpose for my life. The month in Alaska was like a vacation from the everyday cares of living life. The peace of God was so evident there. I pray that I will be able to do something similar in 2011.

Our family experienced the joy of being together this Christmas. However, because of the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, there was an undercurrent of grief always present.

The misunderstandings in relationships often brings tears and regrets. Why I cannot express love without attempting to control is a mystery. Certainly, I am not God, nor do I know what he is doing in the lives of those I love. I caught a glimpse of Him recently - a glimpse of His love. If He really loves my family that much, can I not trust Him to do what is best for them? I believe if there is true love, then there will be trust. My prayer for 2011 is that I will learn to pray, believing God, not doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6-7

The Unveiling

Since last Friday, we have awakened each morning to the patter of rain on the roof and clouds and fog hid everything back of the tree line from view. It has been muddy and gloomy. Since lunch, a brilliant blue sky with warm, drying sunshine has broken through on the bay outside the dining hall window. The distant mountains are beginning to peak through puffy clouds, as though they are being unveiled by our Maker, again revealing the majesty of His creations.

But there is another unveiling that occurs here. Each week, a new family of volunteers arrives. We weep at the parting of old friends we have made in the few days we spent together. But soon, the unveiling of the lives of new friends begins, and we begin to bond in the friendship that will reach far beyond this earth. Someday, there will be a great reunion in a more perfect place than this...a place where perfect love will mean no parting, no tears, no illness. When we part, we can say with certainty, "We will meet again!" What a wonderful hope Jesus planted within each believer. What a gift! My heart fills with wonder and praise at that great gift of hope.