Janet...

I've neglected writing this week.

 I've spent the week

 getting a farmer's tan,

 catching up with a few friends,

 driving the kids here, there

...and back again

And a host of other things that seem unimportant, 

but really are just a part of this life I call 

normal

Whilst I carry on with my "normal" routine

and one day turns into the next

my thoughts drift often to a beautiful woman I know 

who is fighting a hard battle with cancer.

Inevitably, 

my thoughts turn to questions

and I try to wrap my head around 

God's ways.

It makes no human sense that someone with a heart so lovely should suffer so deeply.

It makes no sense that the man who calls her "Sweetie" should stand helplessly by

as his life shifts off kilter. 

A mother and father watch the child they gave life,

fight for her next breath.

The ones who call her "Sister",

who made mud pies and caught fireflies with her

now stand by unable to do anything 

but watch.

Countless children whom she taught and shared Jesus with

look on with eyes wide with wonder.

What is going on in the mind of a God who is a Father,

who watches on while His child suffers?

How does He bear it,

what makes Him hold back His hand of restoration?

How could THIS be good

and purposeful

and all a part of His plan?

****************************

I wrote this last night and just couldn't really finish my thoughts...

today I have a new perspective...

this morning I woke to find this woman has found her healing.

"We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on 

our heavenly bodies like new clothing."

II Corinthians 5:2

She has a new ancient home...

It's the home that was created for her before she was born.

It is the place she lived her life longing for.

She was welcomed there this morning in what I can only imagine

was quite a grand affair.

I'm picturing some other dear women she knew who have traveled there just this year.

I imagine they were waiting to see her

to catch up and show her around...

But I wonder if she even noticed them

for the glorious Light of the One she's lived her whole life praising

must have captured her attention first.

My mind's eye sees her bowing and singing

getting all choked up with words...

Her healing has come at last...

and her body is whole.

She is spending her first day in heaven...

reveling in its' beauty

and 

the majestic presence of her Saviour.

We grieve for us,

for her family

but 

a second glance makes us sit up and take notice

that she is where she belongs...

and she finally knows the fulfillment of her life's longing.

I see her greeted with a warm hug,

an intimate walk,

questions to ask

and answers to finally be revealed.

She sees the big picture that we are too finite to see...

She hears angelic singing

and 

walks with Jesus.

Back here,

in her old home

we cannot fathom the outcome.

It's a mystery

And I'll be honest and say I don't like it.

And, so, as I've done many times in my life...

I am forced to go back to what I know to be Truth.

"I don't think the way you think.
   The way you work isn't the way I work.
         God's Decree.
For as the sky soars high above earth,
   so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
   and the way I think is beyond the way you think."

Isaiah 55

I hurt for her family

and grieve with the little people who loved her much

But would I deny her the 

healing

beauty

perfection

Glory

new body

face to face reunion

Joy

How could I?

She has found her home

and she shares it with the 

Ancient of Days

Alpha and Omega

Jehovah

Yahweh

Creator

Abba

Almighty

The Glorious One

who could deny her that?

 "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,  because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it...."

II Corinthians 5

Welcome home, Janet...