In worship, listening, praying my mind can become distracted. I readily admit this. I think that this is exactly where fear creeps into my life. As these past four weeks as fallen away, I’ve watched dad’s body fail. Each day I’ve guessed. I’ve prayed. I’ve wondered. Last week, we really thought this journey was about to end. I went to my mom’s for a few days to be with them both. I spent time reading Scripture to him (side note: ask your family their favorite Scriptures now). I found a great list of Scripture verses on heaven and read them over and over to dad. I know for certain that dad knows them. I’ve puzzled at his staying and we finally realized that he doesn’t want to leave us. He wants heaven, but he also wants us. So, we spent time talking of who he will meet when his eyes open to heaven. What he will see! Oh, such treasures. In time with God when my mind is scattered, this is where I fix my mind. I fix my mind on the descriptions of heaven.
“‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'” Revelation 7:13-17 NIVUK
Imagine the washing of the robes, the cleansing and they are the saints! In 1 John 1, John makes it clear that we all have sin. We all struggle, but the truth that remains? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There will come a day when all of that will be behind us. We will be before the king of Kings. I love that this passage hints at Psalm 23 as well!
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:1-2 NASB
Jesus, in Matthew 6, tells us to not be afraid. To not worry.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 NASB
Guys, the completion of this cure for anxiety passage is found ultimately in heaven! Our earthly tents will no longer have need of food or drink. Rather, our time here is to be spent seeking after the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NASB) There will come a day. Brings a smile to our faces, doesn’t it? Our focus, our eyes are to be fixed on loving the LORD, our neighbor. We need this right now. We need to be more focused on loving both and allowing this to guide our actions.
The tears of this time that shatter our hearts here will have healing in heaven. We will no longer weep. Watching our world, family, and friends fall apart is devastating, yet, there will come a day.
Peace and love, my friends. God’s presence is our answer.
6 Comments
Always love what you write. This is especially wonderful. Have you told your dad it is okay for him to leave and go to his forever home? I had that happen with my grandfather who was lingering, but when I told him it was okay for him to leave us and go to see Jesus and that we would all be okay, he left us pretty quickly after that. I was the only one taking care of him at that time – so it was just me talking to him. You may have already had that conversation – just a thought. Continuing to pray for you and your family. These are hard times.
Thank you, Diana! Appreciate the thought, Hospice has been really good with us. When my grandma died, I was told by hospice that would be a really good idea. And so we each of also said that it’s OK for Dad to go. Thank you so much for reading.
Yes, I like what Diana said about giving him permission to go, as this was the case with my sister as well. Praying for your family at this time, that there would be a special closeness.
Thank you, Lynn! Appreciate your prayers so much.
Cara, thank you for sharing this difficult but beautiful journey with us. One of our sister-in-laws, the only other believer (to date!) in Terry’s family, passed away 10 years ago. She told me she asked that her family not hold her hand when the end was near, because she knew that would make it harder for her to leave. I’m tearing up as I write this, knowing how hard this season is for you. Beautiful words! This is a post I will read often.
Thank you, dear friend. Thank you for sharing that. Praying.