II Corinthians 5:6-9

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Dee was excited to return home from the Ladies Bible Study and share with her husband, Del. The times when Del and Dee were apart from each other were difficult. Even being away from each other for a few hours was hard. They truly were a living example of Genesis 2:24, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” 

Del and Dee were the parents of four children. They had instilled the Word of God into their lives and each had prayed at one time or another to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Two were married to wonderful Christian mates, one was divorced and struggling to find meaning and the fourth child had been killed in Iraq six months earlier.

As Dee stopped for a traffic light, she felt a strange sensation down the left side of her body. The light changed, but Dee did not notice. It was only after the traffic light had gone through several cycles that another motorist got out to see if she was alright. He could see that she was slumped over the steering column. By the time the paramedics had arrived, Dee had left this world.

She remembered the traffic light, but now she was bathed in light. It was strange, but she felt like she was home, in fact more at home than she had ever been in her entire life. Every ache and pain was gone. She heard the most fantastic music she had ever heard. Without thinking, she was singing the way she had always dreamed of singing. She could not believe that the voice she was hearing was actually her own voice singing praises to the Lord along with the choir of others who were finally home.

Her eyes were flooded with sights that were beyond description. Now she knew why there was so little written in the Bible about paradise. It was simply impossible to describe. Her senses were filled to the full. It suddenly dawned on her that she was standing without her walker. Not only could she walk, but she started to run through a field of the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen.

As she was singing along with the beautiful choir, she gazed in amazement at the other singers. There was her saintly grandmother and grandfather, standing beside her parents. They had gone to be with the Lord years ago. She rushed into their arms in a greeting that she knew would last for eternity.

It was then that she received another blessed experience. Her youngest son stood strong and glowing. The last time she had seen him was when he had left for Iraq a year ago. When he had loaded onto the bus along with the other members of his company, her mother’s heart ached. That was nothing compared to the pain she experienced when they were notified of his death. She and Del had been uncertain about his commitment to the Lord. Now she knew that he had received Jesus Christ as his Savior. 

Her heart soared again and again as she met and praised with those who had gone to be with the Lord over the years. She saw a great crowd of people rejoicing around someone. As she drew near, she realized that it was Jesus. She knew that it would be impossible for her to get near, but she began to pour out her praise to Him. Suddenly it was as if the crowd had parted and she was on her knees thanking Him for shedding His blood to give her this eternal salvation.

Jesus took her hand and lifted her to her feet. His smile was the most radiant smile she had ever seen. She experienced His love and concern in a way that words could not express. She knew that there would never be a way she could tell Him of her love, but at the same time she knew that she would spend eternity trying.

WHILE THIS WONDERFUL SCENE WAS UNFOLDING IN GOD’S BEAUTIFUL PARADISE, THERE WAS ANOTHER SCENE TRANSPIRING BACK ON EARTH. I WILL TRY TO DESCRIBE IT IN MONDAY’S DAILY-E-VOTIONAL.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing.

- - - Pastor Cecil