Breakfast at Susie’s

A week from today my little family and I will be sitting at Susie’s, a local cafe in Grand Rapids, Michigan – with my parents. We’ll be having breakfast together, sipping hot coffee, possibly eating chocolate chip pancakes or maybe fresh donuts and life will be good.

That’s this coming week. However, the past week has been a little emotional. I spent a bit of time being lonely, wishing I could be in Michigan. Its not that I love Grand Rapids, or anything like that. No, I never lived there. Its just that I love a few of the people there. And they love us, too. I know its equally hard for my parents – not being with us around the holidays.

There’s something special about Christmas time that makes me want to be with family. There’s a unique warmth that comes from being with those I love.

For now, the anticipation is building. In a few days we will load up our little van and drive many miles, over the course of what will feel like a million hours so that we can spend time with my parents, celebrating Christmas together. We’re just a little bit later getting around to it than everyone else.

In the mean time I’ve been wondering… Christmas is the time when we desire to be near loved ones the most – to share gifts with each other and make wonderful memories. Does God feel this as poignantly as we do? I know He wants to be at the center of our thoughts – I know He wants to be remembered because of His significant gift… but is it more than that?Does He feel that desire for us to be home? Does He wish that we could spend the holidays with Him?

One thing that I’ve noticed, in my own heart, the last couple of Christmases is that something is missing. No matter where I am, how we’re celebrating, or who is with us, I’ve felt a void. But, I think I know what it is.

From 1 Thessalonians 4:

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

¹⁵For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I love thinking about the fact that when He comes, maybe He’ll be so excited – He will be calling for all of us with a shout!

In the same way that I long to be with my family over the holidays, I think there’s a small piece of me that is wishing for 1 Thessalonians -so that I could celebrate with Him. Even though I can sing carols, and share time with loved ones here on earth, I believe there is a longing in all of us who have been redeemed to see our Heavenly Father – and to be with Him. I think He made us that way – and I believe He feels that desire too!

No matter how exciting and festive Christmas is, it will never compare to how grand and glorious The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be one day – when everything will be made right again. What an amazing celebration that will be! Until then – I guess, I’ll share a foretaste of that glory – celebrating with my family here, and in Michigan. I guess a few pancakes and coffee at Susie’s will do!