Glimmers of Heaven

It's been a while since I've written here. When I heard we were moving to a creative access country, I was unsure of what I can say here or even if I could keep what I've written before. What I have realized is that I need to process all of the thoughts swirling in my head right now. As I have been preparing to go to a country that is predominantly Muslim, I am preparing myself for the differences I expect. I am preparing to see many more women wearing hijab. I am preparing to hear the call to prayer multiple times a day. I am preparing to censor what I say and how I act. I am preparing to face oppression and warfare because of my beliefs. What I haven't been preparing for was that I would face the oppression and warfare here and now right before I leave my country. The last couple of weeks have made me realize something: Because of COVID, the only people I have interacted with have been believers and they have been some amazing, Love-the-Lord-with-all-your-heart, sacrificial, Holy-Spirit-led believers. This is probably the only time in my life this has been true. The believers I have shared my time with know that there is hardship and pain in life and the only way to get through it is to pray to the only source who can get you to the figurative "other side." None of these people have been my family by blood (apart from my children), but they surely are my family in Christ. This time has given me a glimmer of what I imagine heaven to be like: A huge Kingdom-mindeded family who love Jesus and want to live their lives for Him and in the end, just worship Him for how abundantly good He is. 

But, and that's the hard thing about this life, I can't dwell in this glimmer forever if I want to be an effective disciple of Christ. I have to leave my "bubble of believers" (which still lives in the broken world and is made of broken people too)  and do what God calls me to do. Just because He has called our family to serve in Southeast Asia doesn't mean that I cannot be used in my own family, in my own state, in my own country. So even though I am preparing to go, now is still the time. So often I am looking for what is ahead--what is next. If my time in Haiti has taught me anything--if COVID has taught me anything--it is that I should take life one day at a time because today does indeed have enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34). So, I am thankful for the glimmers of heaven that have been an incredible gift in my life. I am thankful for the souls that I will be united with once again someday in heaven. I know that these Godly relationships here on earth are just a glimpse of what eternity will be like. Until then, let's keep on following the way, one day at a time, so that more people can be invited to the party.



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