How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

"We read of a place that's called heaven, it's made for the pure and the free. These truths in God's word He hath given, how beautiful heaven must be...."

I so look forward to church on Sunday morning. For reasons that aren't clear to me yet, God has steared me back to the baptist church I grew up in. As I went this morning, my butt it was a draggin'. Satan tried so many different things on me to get me to stay home, BUT....I knew God needed me in services this morning. I knew He wanted me there and I went.

Had I been sitting on an "aisle" seat, I'd probably got up and left. The special music being sung this morning was the song with the above title. Immediately, without a thot, tears flowed from my eyes and there I sat, nearly 59 years old, bawling like a baby while this duet of women sang the song in the most magnificent of harmony and sound. I was so overcome I grabbed my brother's hand in every effort to compose myself and not make a spectacle of me. The song was shared for EVERYONE in the service.....not just for me. I listened to every word and clung to every word between the tears. I cannot recall a time in my life when I was more thankful for my brother than those moments. He never flinched. He never wavered. He never put his arm around me and hugged, he simply stood strong in my storm and held my hand....well....Jesus held my hand thru my brother. As I managed to settle, my thoughts went to my face. What a mess I probably was and of course, not a kleenex in sight. So often I make sure a couple are folded in my Bible, but of course, not this time. I could only imagine the sight I was! Inside I had to laugh because I knew God understood and it didn't matter one bit to Him.

You see, countless times Mom and I sang that old hymn the days before her homegoing. She'd start singing and I'd join in. My how Mom longed for heaven! My how I wanted her to have the best! I knew heaven was the best and I longed for her to stay, yet, I longed for her to go.

I miss her so much and you know what? It's okay! I figure folks would be disappointed with me, (with us), if we didn't miss her. After the benediction I told Brother to tell those dear ladies what a wonderful job they did but they were NOT allowed to sing that song in services again unless I am warned! LOL!!!!! He never flinched. He never wavered! It's as if my "storm in the service" had not happened. You see, that's God! That's God working thru my brother, flowing HIS PEACE, HIS LOVE, for ME!

How beautiful heaven must be!!!!!

"God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

Testing, Testing, Testing......Here I am again. To some it is a welcome sight....to others I am strange, and to some a complete stranger. I am praying I can share on this blog far more often than I ever have before. I suppose the first thing to do is to "catch up" so people will better understand me, if understanding me is possible at all.

Do we love this weather or what? Or what is what I say! I have no desire to shovel snow or have it shoveled for me BUT....this humidity can go away any time now. Our youngest son moved to Texas in the spring and I am always blaming him for this heat/humidity! I think he's sending it to us! lol!!

I am still performing on the stage of life where God has placed. Yep...still working retail only the stage is a whole lot bigger than I ever was on. I cannot give God enough praise for ALL the opportunities He gives me to share Him and His love day after day. Often I have hugged complete strangers because they needed a hug. Often I've been able to share just a word of encouragement to so many. It's tough 'OUT THERE" and life is wearing so many down. What a blessing to this heart to look at my workplace as a "stage" for God. I am where He needs me....at least for now.

Most of you know Mom went home to be with the Lord in December, 2008. I don't care how old a person is when they loose their mother......it's tough. It's tough for me. I miss her so much. We laughed so much all my life. We spent sooooooooo much time together. It has been a major, major adjustment for me to go on without her, and I keep trying every day. With God's help, I've made it this far. I give HIM all praise for Mom's home going! She always deserved the best and NOW, Mom has the BEST! I can't wait til it's my turn to go!

Bill keeps busy this time of year mowing the grass, fiddling in his canaries, and trying to get the garden to produce. We had a lot of rain here and it hurt our garden. I keep telling him it doesn't matter because no matter what comes from it, we will be thankful. God is good! I can't complain.

My goodness the challenges of life are many, aren't they. I can't encourage any of us enough to stay faithful to His Word. It is thru His Word we can hear Him the best. Recently a friend shared a new devotional book with me and I stand amazed at how the short devotionals from this little book speaks so clearly to me and to my life and circumstances right now....right here, right where I am in life. I love devotional that BEGIN with a Scripture verse! No better way to begin! Allow me to share a "bite" of this new little book God sent my way:

"Even in the midst of noise and clamor, there is a quiet place that I can retreat to-----a place where concerns are left behind and I am totally aware of being in the presence of God. This quiet place is nearer than the air I breathe, for it is within my soul. Turning within, I feel the peace of God surrounding me in a warm embrace. Enfolded in peace, I experience how it feels to have every nerve soothed and my mind swept clean of confusion. Once again I am focused on the presence of God---my source of life and living."

Sure wish I could write like that! Is that awesome or what! I pray it was a real blessing to you. I know it's what God wanted me to share right now, right here on this stage!

There is LOT WE NEED to share. I hope you can stop back often and enjoy! God has brought me a LONG way.......I pray together we will get thru life........trusting Him always.......and knowing that He tells us, "My peace I give...." It's free, folks! We only need to receive it!

Til next time.........keep reading a Psalm every day..........hugs to all..... Dea