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| Precious Gifts by Gay Talbot Boassy |
The temperature was a bit warmer yesterday, so a friend and I met for a walk. A walk always lends itself to good fellowship, especially a walk in the cemetery. By the time we finished, our bodies were tired, but our spirits were refreshed.
We talked about many things--children and husbands and homes and churches and ministry opportunities and drawing closer to God and aching legs... and heaven. We got to wondering if we would have the same personalities and basically be the same person there as here. Except, of course, we wouldn't sin and our legs wouldn't ache!
Do people in heaven think about the people they left on earth like a newly widowed friend at church thinks about her husband, or anyone who has lost a loved one to death? Would he be sad that she's sad and lonely? Sadness in heaven? I do wonder sometimes what's going on up there--or out there. Wherever it is, it's glorious, if for no other reason than Jesus Christ Our Savior is there.
A walk in the cemetery--a place that draws us to think on eternal things. My widowed friend's husband is buried there. I thought of him yesterday. I thought of Ella. I saw her last evening. She is understandably lonely after 61 years of marriage. Only God's grace can be the balm for a saddened heart. Dear God, please comfort dear Ella and put your loving arms around her.
Spurgeon's yesterday Evening Meditation converges with our thoughts:
We talked about many things--children and husbands and homes and churches and ministry opportunities and drawing closer to God and aching legs... and heaven. We got to wondering if we would have the same personalities and basically be the same person there as here. Except, of course, we wouldn't sin and our legs wouldn't ache!
Do people in heaven think about the people they left on earth like a newly widowed friend at church thinks about her husband, or anyone who has lost a loved one to death? Would he be sad that she's sad and lonely? Sadness in heaven? I do wonder sometimes what's going on up there--or out there. Wherever it is, it's glorious, if for no other reason than Jesus Christ Our Savior is there.
A walk in the cemetery--a place that draws us to think on eternal things. My widowed friend's husband is buried there. I thought of him yesterday. I thought of Ella. I saw her last evening. She is understandably lonely after 61 years of marriage. Only God's grace can be the balm for a saddened heart. Dear God, please comfort dear Ella and put your loving arms around her.
Spurgeon's yesterday Evening Meditation converges with our thoughts:
"And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them,
'Come up hither.'"—Revelation 11:12
'Come up hither.'"—Revelation 11:12
"WITHOUT considering these words in their prophetical connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner to His sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard "a great voice from heaven" to every believer, saying, "Come up hither." This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father, we should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be—
"My heart is with Him on His throne,And ill can brook delay;
Each moment listening for the voice,
'Rise up and come away.'"
"We are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Yet should the celestial summons be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us "Come up thither." We must not wish to antedate the period of our departure. I know that strong love will make us cry,
"O Lord of Hosts, the waves divide,And land us all in heaven;"
but patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most fitting time for the redeemed to abide below. Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more sheaves for my Lord's garner! more jewels for His crown! But how, unless there be more work? True, there is the other side of it, that, living so briefly, our sins are the fewer; but oh! when we are fully serving God, and He is giving us to scatter precious seed, and reap a hundredfold, we would even say it is well for us to abide where we are. Whether our Master shall say "go," or "stay," let us be equally well pleased so long as He indulges us with His presence."
