to my unborn granddaughter

To: Nora who remains in the womb

From: Nana who remains in the world

From one who has gone before…

Dear Nora,

Beautiful baby girl, you will soon be joining us here in your new world. Our current world.  I know that must sound odd. You probably have so many questions. What is it like? How will I get there? Why do I have to leave what I know for the unknown? Is the next place better? Is it the final place?

Please don’t ever think that Nana is unkind for not answering every question. It is not because I do not love you, but because I do that I answer your questions only in part at this time.

Don’t get me wrong, I could answer your questions with many details. I have words to describe the world you are about to enter. I have lived here for many years and have seen many things. The challenge is how do I describe it to one who has never seen?

So I will answer your questions in part. As one who has gone before, I will try to help you understand what is to come by associating it to what you currently know.

Now you experience our world through the filter of the womb. In your new world you will still hear heartbeats and feel warmth. Voices will still speak and sing to you. You will feel the touch of your father and the encompassing embrace of your mother.

And more.

In our world your ears will hear more clearly. Your skin will register a direct yet tender touch. Light will enable your eyes to focus on many splendid things. And your body will be free to venture and explore.

Do not fear the passing over from your world into ours. The process actually prepares you for what is to come. There are many who love you, anxiously waiting your arrival. Eager to care for you and train you in your new surroundings. Excited to share with you the many sights, sounds, and sensations. It will take a lifetime to explore all the vastness of this place!

Yes, precious one, you must leave your current home in order to experience the next. In so many ways it is better than your current environment. If given the option, would I return to the womb? No. Not after experiencing this world.

Is it your final place? No. There is one other world awaiting you. It has a special name. Heaven. Can I describe it to you? No.

I have not been there. I know in part because God has mentioned it in His book. In this, Nora girl, I am like you. Trusting the One who has gone before. Accepting what little He tells me. Believing that even though I don’t know, One who loves me does. I choose to trust Him to fill in the details when I arrive.

With much love and great anticipation,

Nana

Uphill Journey

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill" Psalm 3:3-4 ESV.

I choose to run--not because I want to--because I need to. It's the most time- efficient way I've found to burn calories.
 

I live in the Piedmont Region of the Carolinas. Rock Hill is my current home, so my course involves inclines.
 

As I ran up that long hill in my neighborhood for the fourth time, I considered stopping. It was hard. My mantra has always been "three miles or it doesn't count." Recently most of my runs fell short. I wanted this one to count, so I continued.
 

I set my sights on the summit. The tree-topped hills were beautiful. Tiered to display their array, set against a brilliant blue backdrop, the trees flaunted their flaming foliage. I was tempted to just park myself at the bottom and gaze up at them. However, few calories get burned when I rest on my haunches.
 

I thought about my current journey with God. It's pretty much uphill these days. I've lived in three different states in three years. In the midst of the moves, I cared for my husband through surgeries and cancer treatments, welcomed children back into my once empty nest, and bid farewell to my earthly father.
 

Some days I'm tempted to quit.
 

It occurred to me the same principle of choice applies in my spiritual journey. I can be content to gaze upward, or accept God's invitation to journey with Him. I don't want to settle for gazing at Him. I want to be with Him. I decided to continue to travel this road--even when it's uphill--because He travels with me.

 

So I stood and started taking steps.

 

It is during our uphill journeys that our eyes naturally incline toward heaven.

Legendary Wedding

Some dream about them--those to come as well as those that have passed. Some avoid them.  Some refuse to participate in them.  Some want to be a part of them. Some want to redefine them. Some want theirs to finally come...or finally be over. 

Weddings usually illicit some kind of emotional reaction.

Well, the other day I was thinking about weddings.  A specific wedding as a matter of fact.  I was studying ancient Jewish weddings.  The Bible is full of them.  Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding--against His wishes I might add.  (The fact that He did it because His mother asked Him too is pretty cool in this mother's opinion!)

But that wasn't the wedding that had caught my attention.  It was the "Wedding of the Lamb" in Revelation that had me thinking about weddings.

I was studying an old tradition, when I found a new thought. 

When I found this new thought I couldn't help but share it with my husband and son.  Obviously from the reception I received when I told them I wanted to tell them what I had found, weddings were not high on their priority list.  And weddings may not occupy your mind today. 

But will you humor me and let me share my thought?

In the Jewish tradition, the person who shows the most joy at a wedding is the groom. Now, before your mind starts jumping to conclusions about why he is so joyous...just rest on the fact that the groom is the most joyous participant.  In the Jewish community this fact was even labeled legendary according to what I read.

Now consider that God often refers to believers as the church.  He is also the one that has orchestrated the final preparations for this wedding feast in heaven. The church is the bride at this final wedding feast. She will be beautifully adorned.  Radiant. 

And Jesus Christ is the groom.

So here is the new thought that had me so excited I just had to tell you--you may be way ahead of me and have already thought this, but it was new to me:

I have often let my mind run wild with Mercy Me and Amy Grant as I sang with them I Can Only Imagine.  But not once in my wildest imagination, did I ever picture Jesus being more demonstratively joyous about my being there than I was about finally reaching that holy of holies heavenly alter. 

...as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:5b