Two weeks ago today we got the news that Memaw would not live through the night.
We all scurried to make arrangement to get there for her funeral. However, the Lord was gracious to us and let us make it in time to see her again before she died.
Facing the reality that Memaw, a woman I have been held by and loved, is with Jesus has been overwhelming to me.
I think I often consider heaven to be a far off reality. One that I will eventually face when my assumedly long life is over.
But seeing Memaw enter into the presence of God has made me extremely aware of the reality that heaven is something to think on daily. Not just something for my future.
There is a home that is being built for me RIGHT NOW in heaven! God has prepared a place for me in His home.
So often my focus is consumed with the things of this world. But He has given me an inheritance far greater than anything of this world - and it's one that I cannot lose.
It's been a marvelous challenge to me to keep "seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Setting my mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2
Especially because 1 John 2:17 says, "The world is passing away, and also it's lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
I need to live with eternity in mind daily, allowing the glories of calvary and it's resulting gift (of freedom from sin and the promise eternal life to those who believe) to change my heart and my life into one that will glorify the Father.
Another verse that has been impressed upon my heart through this is 1 John 2:28-29.
"Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him."
We were able to rejoice over Memaw's passing. It was such a joy to watch her walk from this world of pain and suffering into a world where there is no more night and no more pain.
I am so grateful to be confident that she is before the Lord. My heart would break if I had reason to believe that she was in the place reserved for those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior.
However.... Titus 3:3-7 promises
"For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, decieved, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one other. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing or regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Memaw's testimony shows obedience to Isaiah 45:22 - "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other."
Praise God for the promise in Romans 8:1 saying that "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE EARTHLY LIFE AND THE ETERNAL LIFE OF MARY LOUISE BRIGGS!
