†
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
Even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the Sound of the Trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Wouldn't it be lovely to have all the perfection of Heaven for all our decades, instead of glimpses.
Having sold her house, we will return to my mom's house to put away the attic and the furniture we left to stay weekends and show the house. The small things bringing back golden days. Sad and sad, sad. Packing up of love. To be used another day. Hope!
In my youth, my mother was adventurous.
And so were her grandmother and mother.
They gardened. This is done by observation and questioning. What is Beautiful? The name, the character of this beauty. The diligence of being outside. To see the wind in the trees and know your familiar area with great curiosity. We grew up learning language. This is a glass, a cup, a spoon. A massive Live Oak, a Zinnia. Okra.
And when we moved to rural and incredible, inspiring Pennsylvania forests and mountains ending the Appalachian Trail, my mother was in her mountain Boots with her identification books, seeing what the wildflowers looked like. We would travel in the evenings looking for deer. My mother was extremely miffed she didn't see the deer the first 3 months. I didn't see a red fox until I was in my late 50s and can understand her frustration.
Finding Blueberries
One fine summer day, my mother was up on top of the local mountain, South Mountain and she found a family of Beavers. Like a shot, she was parking the station wagon with the wood on the side, beside the road, stomping her feet to get rid of any of the numerous rattlesnakes.
Mother was pretty well known in the county for her wooden station wagon, her summer brown boots and jumping up and down to rid the area of rattlesnakes. Let me mention, at this point, she was the President of the County Garden Club and won many blue ribbons in the County Fair for all her adventures. Still, lots of waving during the exploring. And then a fast ride down the mountain, through the pretty small town and parking swiftly to retrieve anyone visiting our house, my brother and me, and my good friend, were now, smack dab, in the middle of a Blue Berry forest floor. Next to the Beaver Pond.
Our friend wouldn't leave the car and called to us about rattlesnakes for the feeding birds and Black Bears. Surely not! Our golden life wouldn't allow for bears when the snakes were properly stomped about to warn off. And soon we would be bringing 10 people back with us. People stopped, waved and warned of bears and snakes and all of this. We explained we were beating back the Beavers, and they would be gone. End of complaints!
This was a golden childhood and teenage era. All the parties opened the doors and the doors increased the situations. A divorce would follow. The pure astonishing departure of my father to areas unknown, temporarily for a year and a half. After decades of happy, happy marriage and lots of drinks.
My parents had bought a duplex for investment and now, the family properties were split up, and we moved to the rental. My mother would grow to love her career, her opportunities for more glamorous events and good times. Her longtime boyfriend was a widower neighbor.
And then we saw her change
Her political party, her values, her ideas of wealth and the status quo. She loathed Sarah Palin. I told her I knew why ... because for most of her decades she Was Sarah Palin. Oh, gawd, she said I was correct. And in this change, she decided she never wanted grandchildren. She would visit on Saturdays and let me know how I was failing to her standards. As she would drive off, I'd tell Edward, there goes that woman and she ate my mother. My children don't remember ever having a conversation with my mother.
What happened really? Anti-depressants, decades, smoking, lack of exercise. Unhappiness. Making due. And really, it was Ronald Reagan styled Alzheimer's from her grandfather and the anti-depressants. Neurosurgeons who do nuclear cat scans say antidepressants shrink the brain and shrink it and shrink it. The retired head of Neurology, retired Chief of Medicine at MD Anderson, told us he recommends anti-depressants to be ceased after 7 days and weaned when needed and can do.
So many Christians dream of Heaven and their loved one. I dreamed of my mother. And she told me, in a Hospital filled with Light, she is in God's Hospital and He is Helping her. Better than the zombie dream that came from my own brain.
We had wonderful decades. And then another decade to find this woman wasn't as she was.
If you encounter the people you love changing, remember the physical touches the spiritual and love the people you love. And with safety zones within you.
Let go of what can be pushed aside. Pleasing to your soul and The Lord.
A tall ship
to sail on
to keep the heart warm and loving
Kindness and some patience
lack of boasting
not arrogant, rudeness,
not insisting on our own way
leaving irritation behind
not rejoicing at wrongdoing
Rejoicing with
and with sincerity and truth
Love bears all things
Hopes all things
endures all things
And the Scriptures tell us
to Love God First
to be able not to join in
in rudeness
insincerity
and be innocent like doves
flying away.
The ability to forgive
and
forgive yourself ... for not being the list above
and
in Jesus
try again.
His Steadfast Love
Revelation 21:5
“And He who was seated on The Throne said,
“Behold,
I am making all things new.”
Also He said,
'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. '”
2 Timothy 7
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity,
but of power, love, and self-control.
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord
Abba, Father,
Know the Scriptures,
Know the Power of God.
And we will believe in the One He has Sent.
Surely, He took on our infirmities
and carried our sorrows;
yet, we considered Him stricken by God,
struck down and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace
was upon Him,
and by His stripes
we are healed.
Each Day we are Blessed
to ask for more
More Heaven on earth.
More Give us This Day.
More Daily Bread.
The Universe is upheld
by the
Power of Your Word.
May The Lord God Almighty
His Son Jesus
surround and uphold us
in This Peace.
The Peace is Upheld by God Himself
and
we ask
His Blessing and Favor.
Gently, we hand You our Cares
knowing Your Hands hold
this so well.
Tenderly.
And we are Loved and Filled.
We give thanks for
Your Sacrifice
to bring those unworthy
to be adopted into Your Family.
Knowing we are not perfect,
have weakness,
flaws
and sins.
And draw near to you with confidence
in Jesus Christ
according to Your Will
Your Word
Your Steadfast Love
and Your Promises in Jesus.
Dwell in us
and help us to be Pleasing to You
Dwell in those we Love and Honor
and help us to seek You first
and we will end well in Jesus Christ.
We have accepted a good offer
on my mother's house and will be climbing
into her attic to begin the whole house
clean out.
Please Pray for us for a smooth transition
during this journey.
Thank You.
Our God is working. His Son,
Jesus is working.
Amen.
YES, Bless the Lord Jesus
Thank You Lord Jesus
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