I arrived home on Wednesday evening after a very sweet visit with my Sister Rachel and the Sky/Greenier family in Connecticut. The main goal was to honor two of my dearest friends (through Baby Showers) as they both welcome babies into the world this Spring. Throughout this week, through the craziness of planning/cleaning/baking/laughing/etc which come with any sort of party planning, I kept thinking about Eternity. But as the world is bouncing around like a chaotic Ping-pong ball--all I could think about was the incredible relief that will be found for those who truly love the Lord. When we cross over the threshold of Eternity, Cancer disappears. Leukemia, SIDS, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimers, Chronic Fatigue, Food Allergies--all of these things will vanish. Parent's that have miscarried will have their arms filled with the beautiful children they were parted from. There will never be any more need for tears of sorrow, or tears of goodbye. Anxiety, doubt, insecurity, hopelessness, depression--none of these things will be found in the Kingdom of God.
Nothing but Joy. Unabashed JOY. Purity--no more "dirty jokes" or hurtful words. Patience--with everyone actually putting others above themselves. Can you imagine a world where everyone truly cares about your needs above their own? But not just YOURS. Everyone else's needs. True Kindness. Gentleness--the kind where you see a fierce Lion dozing quietly beside a peaceful little lamb.
When I woke up this morning, I felt like there was a cloud of gloominess hanging over my head. I felt a bit "down" with parting from my sister, all the events in the news (forest fires nearby, etc), and just the normal every day struggles. But, when I sat down and truly cried out to the Lord--He heard me. I told Him all the weights on my heart, and He quietly listened.
And He told me that "All will be well."
ALL. Everything will be well. Even if there are struggles today, He is in the process of working all things to an end. And there will be an end. But it is a BEAUTIFUL, victorious, glorious end. Then, to top it off, Jesus wrote me a song. So my prayer today is that you would be encouraged, strengthened in your heart, soul and mind, and filled with the Joyous anticipation of the Day when Jesus splits the sky--and makes all things well.
All Will Be Well - by Anna Dumaresq
When I cross over Jordan,
Through the gates of Heaven,
What a glorious delight will fill my eyes.
All pain and heartache,
and every need for goodbye,
will vanish as dew in morning sunlight.
Chorus:
And all will be well,
All will be well!
As the burdens of this world
drift from sight
And the Glory of the King,
Will be the Light of Heaven
With Jesus, finally by our side
--all will be well.
When I see the children laughing
And those who've said goodbye,
what a radiant Joy will flood my soul,
For there in their midst
is Jesus--surrounded
As He gathers all His children close beside.
And as I finally stand before Him,
What undeserved Mercy,
As His tender hand of pardon
Stretches out!
And all of forever
what songs shall be lifted!
To the One who has come
to set all things finally right.
Ch 2:
And made all things well!
All is now well!
As the burdens of this fallen world
are now vanish from our lives.
And the Glory of the King,
Will be the Light of Heaven!
With Jesus, Himself, has shown to be
the Way, the Truth, the Light
--And made all things well.
In Him who is making all things right,
