Jeff, Bethany, and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Illinois, to visit my sister & her family, and my last living aunts and uncles, and cousins.
Party Times! Precious times!
As we were reminiscing, my Aunt inquired, “Cindy, are you going to McLean to visit the graves?” (my Mom, Jeff’s Dad, and our little girl, Kristin Faith are buried there.)
I froze.
“No” was my answer but as I was trying to figure out how to explain to my Aunt that it wasn’t out of disrespect, but because I was in shock! I truly had forgotten that “they” were “there”. In my heart and mind – I always see them alive and rejoicing in heaven.
Before I opened my mouth to answer, I “heard” my Father’s voice asking the question with the sound of bubbling joy- as if He were so glad!
“Why would you seek the Living among the Dead?”
[Tweet “To be absent from the body is to be #present with the #Lord. #heaven #life”]
INDEED!
That was the million dollar questions the angels asked the women who were seeking Jesus at the empty tomb that first morning! The answer is right in the question!
I marveled as I realized God was confirming something mega-miraculous had happened in the very core of my being! For years, when Jeff & I would visit the graves, we cried and I rarely left without having made myself almost sick with sorrow and mourning.
But no more.
I hadn’t even thought to “visit” their graves ~
[Tweet “Death has been defeated- Jesus #broke its #power. #LIFE”]
THEY AREN’T THERE!
Alleluia! Death is defeated! Jesus is Victorious!
What a gift my God has given me! and He Has given you!
The promise of Someday beginning Forever with Him!
Party Times! Precious Times!
My loved ones are not dead, nor do I need to seek or visit them in a cemetery! They are fully and abundantly alive, waiting for me to join them in our Father’s House.
This book- There’s a Party in Heaven- by Gary and Jan Bower is a MUST READ.
Party! Celebrate! Our day is coming! Heaven is for Real! Happily Ever After Starts in His Time
Surprising Treasure: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
New Bodies- full context- II Corinthians 5 NLT
5 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.[a] 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord!
I needed this. THANKS.
me too! July is “challenging” for me! You’re entered Miss Serena- the book is a children’s book but I love reading it (& our grandkids love it!) Hugs
What a blessing and much-needed reminder this morning. Thank you, Cindy, for always placing these little hidden treasures on my heart right when I need them.
Blessings to you,
Susan
You’re so welcome! When God drops nuggets to me- or opens my eyes- I have to pass it on! You’re in the drawing. Your grandkids would love this book! I read it the other day to the kiddos and Cohen was jumping up and down- “Hey Nana, let’s just skip dis part and go straight to heaven today.” I had to explain God wants us to live fully/joyfully here, anticipating heaven but not going early lol!
Bless his bumpity heart! 🙂
THANK YOU Cindy! You have impacted me in a very special way with this post. I know I will read this post again and again, and especially when I lose a loved one to remind me they are rejoicing in Heaven. You have no idea how much I needed to experience this reminder!
I’m so glad Lori! It’s so beyond difficult to lose someone. But Heaven is more real than we can imagine and our loved ones are closer than we know. One day- we’ll be reunited. That’s the truth we have to hang on to! hugs sweet friend!
Good for you, Cindy. I totally agree with your decision. I used to feel bad that I could never go see my mother’s grave in Arkansas, but as you said, she is not there!! So for years I have let that go. Today is my mother’s 26th anniversary of her death, but again, I celebrate her life in the presence of God!!!! Isn’t God amazing!!
Hey Lori! I still remember what a shock it was when your mother died! It’s so liberating to let go of “guilt” driven actions and rejoice in the Lord for His provision and gifts! Sending you hugs today as you reflect on her life in heaven- fully alive! hugs
This Surprising Treasure reminds me of a dream I once had about my Dad, and the words that came to me in the dream: “If he is passing from death to life, why would you want to call him back from life to death?” I am thrilled with this blessed assurance the Lord has given you, my dear Cindy. And, here’s a story I wrote about my view of Paradise: On My Guest List
http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=96148
Goosebumps when I read this- passing from death to life- why would we ever want someone to come back to death- except of course- we miss them. But when we can see the precious beauty of true life with Him- then we can begin to rejoice. I can’t wait to read your story! going there right now = hugs sweet sister!
Oh, Cindy, I thought of another view of Heaven that I wrote about. This one is from quite another perspective, writing challenge topic “Surprise:” After The Execution
http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level3-previous.php?id=18346
WOW! Surprise is right! He is the Creator King- I love the scripture- Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? His mercy is everlasting.