Our family said goodbye to our 96-year old mother on June 3rd. This spunky lady was no longer able to cook the delicious meals we gobbled up as kids, or dance with us as we did at nearly every family occasion. Her legs wouldn’t work anymore so she was stuck in a wheelchair, wishing she could walk again. Wet and dry macular degeneration had stolen most of her vision. She could no longer read the books she so enjoyed. That was okay, because she assured me that just listening to her favorite show– Murder She Wrote– was “like having an old friend in the room with me.” But her mind was strong most days. She remembered things that made me shake my head and chuckle. She remained spunky to the end.
We prayed that God would take her home before she lost her eyesight altogether, and He graciously did. For that we are deeply grateful. But there’s still something surreal when the final goodbye suddenly arrives. “Suddenly” seems an odd word to associate when someone is 96 years old –– but I guess 96 years are never enough when it’s your mom. You always want just one more day. Many of you already know how that feels. You’ve lost your mom. You know the sadness. It doesn’t matter whether your mom goes to Heaven when you’re young, or old like me, life is different when mom is no longer around.
In the midst of sadness and that surreal sense that there are no more conversations, no more kisses on her wrinkled cheek, no more laughter over old memories, there is one constant. JESUS. The comfort that He pours into a hurting heart is almost indescribable. I don’t know how people navigate life, especially the hurtful days, without JESUS. His constant palpable presence and tender love for us is always there, but it shows itself so convincingly when He knows we need HIM. My heart is full because He fills it.
I titled this devotion “The Joy of Heaven” because that is the ultimate story. I said goodbye to my mother with joyful tears because I know she was immediately escorted by angels to Heaven. I was with her when she first gave her heart to JESUS many years ago. I was with our dad also. I know all God’s promises and assurances in His Word are true –– Heaven is God’s House. Heaven is real, a sure hope, a certain joy, the eternal home for everyone who believes and places their life and heart in His hands. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can possibly imagine the plans God has for those who love Him. (Bible reference to 1 Corinthians 2:9) God’s indescribable plan is Heaven! Jesus described it to the thief on the other cross as Paradise. Earth isn’t the end. It’s simply the portal to the true life for which we were created. Eternity with our God.
Heaven is peace, beauty, worship, serenity, and a long-awaited joyous reunion with precious loved ones. Heaven is forever, the final chapter to the dress rehearsal we’re all experiencing now on earth. But first and best of all, Heaven is JESUS. In Heaven we get our first glimpse of the precious Son of God, the One who lived and died and rose again to wash away our sin so we could be welcomed into Heaven.
Heaven is meeting JESUS, thanking JESUS, walking and talking with JESUS, and endless opportunities to truly know our wonderful God, who waits even now for each of us to arrive and join His celebration.
I find myself smiling, wondering what mom is doing right now, what mom is seeing right now. Wondering what JESUS really looks like. Wondering how mom responded when she first saw HIM. Wondering how I will respond. Like the song, will I dance for JESUS or fall on my knees, will I sing or will I be able to speak at all? I’m hoping I will do all those things!
Thank you, JESUS, for The Joy of Heaven. With every goodbye, another piece of my heart now resides there. One day, maybe soon, that joyous eternal reunion God has planned for all His children will begin. Come, Lord JESUS, come! I know you are as eager as I am.
O Glorious Day!