"Well, You Never Know:...Our Limited Days

Today was the day for a re-check on the pacemaker that has served me so well for a handful of years.

When the Heart Clinic people called back after the monitoring was complete, they said, "Everything is great. And your pacemaker still has a year and a half left on it!"

Of course, I'm glad it is still working. But the news of a limited time left on the machine that helps to keep me going, triggered a curious train of thought in my head. "A year and a half is not forever." They imply that that battery can be replaced.

In life we are often given to the true reflection on life in this world, and say, "Well, you never know."  As Christians, we know that somebody knows. God knows. Scripture reminds us that God knows everything about us. In fact, before we were born He knew then, and also now, the number of my days. He has a day to take us home. All part of the loving plan He has for my life. He knew it all, before it ever happened. He knew every move, every feature of the high adventure that would be my life. He knew all it would take to make me ready for the home-going He has prepared. A going home to be with Jesus - Who has already promised His friends that He would be coming back to take us home so we could be with Him there - in the "mansions of heaven" that were being made ready.

So, who am I to worry about when that would happen? After all, what wonderful years of life He has given me here. What a partner for life! What children to be our own dear ones! John, and Kristen, Tamsie and Lizzie. And Andrew.  But then Vi, added later, from Vietnam. Six wonderful young people. 

And their children. Beautiful young people. All of them bound by love to each other. And beyond them, an ever widening "band of brothers" and sisters. Friends to Molly and me by cords of love.

And how far those "ties that bind" reach. Across town. Across America. Across experiences. Across countries. They are in Kenya, in West Pokot. In Uganda. In Tanzania. In Ethiopia and Tanzania. In South Africa and LeSotho. In Guatemala and Peru. It seems never to end. Dear and beloved friends. The precious people.

We'll see them all. There, in the great reunion place. And, of course parents, and siblings. It just doesn't end.

People, after all, are the greatest treasure given us. Crowned by the One Greatest Person of all, Jesus the Lord. What could you have more in life than that?

And every one of us has that treasure of precious people. I need to be glad for that time coming. And for the Great Reunion on "heaven's side."

I pray God will help me to think about Him, and all those He's given me. To think about seeing them - in that precious fellowship.

Maybe we can help each other in those anticipations. To be glad for the gift of people, and of time together - here, in these expectant days. And there, in the exciting, wondrous days to come.

Away with limitations! And up with expanding, deepening, enriching together times, with the vast company God has already given us.

Bless you all - the dear people now, and then. Forever.

​Arthur