Last night my baby girl spotted a blue Honda Odyssey. It was identical to my mom and dad’s. “Nanny! Papa! Over there!” She shouted from inside the restaurant, pointing out the window, with a longing gaze. She thought for sure my parents had come to Chattanooga.
After spending a week with them she wasn’t quite done ; she was missing them and I could tell. Our time together had gone by so quickly, none of us were ready to go our separate ways.
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When I was young I used to think of eternity in these uncomfortable, laborious, hard to quantify terms. What would it be like? I didn’t know, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out either. Forever can have strange connotations, depending on how you’re considering it.
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My folks live quite a distance away – and we don’t get to spend time with them regularly. Holidays and a summer vacation are typically all that the geography allows. When we do see them it is a happy occasion. The time passes quickly and the days slip through my grasp no matter how hard I try to hold on to the hours and minutes. I get a lump in the pit of stomach when our time together draws to a close.
The older I get, and it is happening even today, the more I treasure time with my loved ones. So, I’ve been wondering what forever will feel like. Here on this earth we wait with longing for our Savior’s return, for His redeeming touch. I can’t help but believe that when He does finally come, we will enjoy each moment in His presence to the fullest, longing for more and more. No ending to dread. No calendars or clocks to signal a conclusion.
The more my heart swells with love and affection for my Heavenly Father, and the more I catch quick glimpses of His love for me, I find myself desiring that kind of eternity. I think His affection for us and our adoration of Him will make time seem to stand still. I won’t have to try to stop the moments from passing. Rather it will be a glorious forever and ever and ever with Him.
In the mean time…
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (from Titus 2)
a photo from the vacation that could have lasted a lot longer in the Smokey Mountains…
daily portion 