A
little bit of heaven….
While shopping with some friends in Iowa over the weekend,
we stopped in a craft store and saw a sign which said “Because someone we love
is in heaven, there’s a little bit of heaven in our home.” One of my friends said, “This applies to the organization
you are involved with.” It certainly
does, but it also applies to other loses, not just the loss of a spouse.
These friends and I have known each other for about 40 – 45
years and there isn’t much we do not know about each other. Our husbands meet in the military and we became
friends quickly. I love how we can share
so many things together – the good, the bad and the ugly without any
judgment.
We often have some pretty deep discussions of faith, but I
do not recall the conversation of heaven in our homes regarding those who have
gone before us. Even though I often
think about those who have gone before me, I hadn’t thought of a part of them
actually being in my home. But what a
sweet thought!
There are many scriptures
regarding those who have gone before us and the mourning we go through during a
loss. My thought goes to the Beatitudes
which Matthew 5:4 reads: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall
be comforted. For me there is so much peace knowing God promises to comfort
us.
When we think about those we
love, they are always in our hearts. When
you think about it, as long as our heart is beating, they are always with
us. Just thinking of this, seems to help
us get through this time. For those who
have children and grandchildren with your spouse, there seems to be things that
always remind us of them.
One of my past times is working
on genealogy. About a year ago, my
daughter-in-law had sent me pictures of her sons (my grandsons) school
pictures. As I had been going through
old pictures of my late husband’s family, I came across a picture of Dan at the
same age as one of my grandson’s. Oh wow
– the resemblance was unbelievable! In watching
my son’s walk, and how noticing how much they walk just like their dad. Also, my daughter will say a phrase that
reminds me of something he would say.
Knowing that we will see our
loved ones again, is another comfort. Another
one of the reminders which God tells us of is:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 reads: After
that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever.
I
have been blessed with many special people in my life who have walked down many
journeys with me. Many times it has been
a two way street for us. However, the
one who has had the most influence in my life is the one who I have put my hope
and trust in, which is Christ.
If
you are struggling with something in your life, I pray you seek guidance with
someone who can help you. Please contact
someone you trust or can count on to help you along this journey. Perhaps it is a good friend, a minister or
priest, or a counselor.
I
hope and pray you have memories of your loved ones in your heart that puts a
smile on your face and you sense a little bit of heaven in your home. One more promise for you: 1
Corinthians 6:14 reads: And God raised
the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.
Blessings
to each of you!!!!!
