The Best Things

Wishing for a good evening for all....

I'm having an introspective evening....thinking about life, and what comes after.  I've just heard of another angel who got his wings too soon....at least too soon in our way of thinking.  We, of course, KNOW that God know's what He's doing, but that doesn't always keep us from questioning.  Why are some of us taken so suddenly, while others of us are taken gradually?

"We were made for so much more than the things of this world.  Sometimes, we can sense this.  We have a feeling that, despite our best efforts, we don't quite belong here, that this is not our final destination.  We have deep hungers and thirsts that cannot yet be satisfied.  In fact, when we try to make this world our home, our ultimate security and place of comfort, we simply end up feeling disappointed or empty.  This is why a great saint of the church was moved to write, 'Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee'".  (Taken from the Introduction to the book, The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarkey). 

When I read this a few days ago, I thought, "What a perfect description of Chad'.  He WAS made for so much more than earth, and I know that he knew that.  It's a perfect explanation for the discontentment that he so often felt.  I truly believe that Chad was destined for more, and this gives me peace. 

As I think further, though, I realize that this quote is a description of all of us!  We're ALL meant for more than this!  Though some of us are taken to this greater destiny much sooner than we'd like, and others of us are left here to share our long acquired wisdom for years upon years, we're, all of us, meant to achieve a much greater level of living.

I heard someone illustrate death with birth.  We leave the comfort of a warm and quiet womb under our mothers' hearts, the only existence that we've known, and enter a world that must seem SO cold and loud and bright to a newborn.  Our first reaction is to cry.  But as we become accustomed to this world, we certainly are glad that we endured that harsh entry, because life outside of our mothers' bodies becomes a very good thing, for we are free to run, and jump, and play, and form relationships with others! 

 Death must be just like that.  We leave the comfort of life, the only existence that we remember, and enter the unknown.  I believe that once we enter into that new life with our Heavenly Father, we have that same feeling that, while life as we know it is very comfortable, our heavenly lives will become such a 'good thing' that we certainly would never wish to go back, for we will be free....in the TRUEST sense.

This thought, too, brings me peace, as I am able to picture Chad in his heavenly home each day....becoming more accustomed to the newness, and feeling quite at home there.  I've begun to start my days by thinking, 'I wonder what Chad's up to today?'  It's good to know that, while he's not still with us in our earthly lives, he, in fact still IS....and he's doing so well....experiencing the 'good things'....the BEST things!

Life IS so good!  But what a blessing to know that there's something SO much better waiting for us....and so many loved ones waiting for us there!

I pray for a peaceful night for all of you.  I have some friends that I'd like for you to remember in your prayers tonight.  God will know who you mean.

Love to all!
Julie

My Browneyed Girl(s)!

Hello All!!
I'm a proud Mama tonight, so I hope you'll indulge me in a little bragging!  Annie-Laurie had her first football game tonight!  No....she's not playing!  I think I may have already mentioned that she's working as a student trainer for the MS State football team...and I actually saw her on TV tonight!  I think she was on for a full couple of seconds!  Thank goodness for TiVo!  I watched her several times!!  I'm sure I've never watched the sidelines more than I've watched a football game, and I couldn't have been prouder if she'd actually been out on the field tackling and scoring!  I'm SOOO anxious to watch her live!!  MS State DID win, by the way....quite handily!

I returned yesterday from my quick trip to Park Hills for my mom's birthday (she's a Browneyed Girl, too!).  I didn't look back before I started writing this, but I'm afraid that I shared her age in a previous blog.  I don't think that she's particularly sensitive about her age, but she honestly could easily pass for 15 years younger!  I truly hope that I can look almost as young and beautiful as she does when I'm 60!!  (She's a few years older than 60, by the way!!)  I'm shocked, as are all people who know me best, that I was actually able to keep a secret and pull off the surprise.  She was DEFINITELY surprised, and we enjoyed a little party with several of my parents' close friends and one of my friends from high school.  It was one of those quick, impromptu things....mostly because I'm a TERRIBLE planner.  But I've found that impromptu things are often the most fun....mostly because I AM a TERRIBLE planner!!  :)

We intended to go to Saxony's first soccer game on Monday, but I got mixed up about game time. (It HAS been said that I could mess up a one-car parade.....I won't mention names).  I'd looked so forward to that game, but I know there will be others, and it actually probably all worked out for the best.  The trip to Cape proved to be an emotional day for us, as it was my parents' first trip back there since Chad's funeral.  The game may have been a little 'too much'.  Things DO so often work out exactly as they're supposed to!

On our way to Cape, we stopped at Saxony High School so that I could hug Chad's sweet girlfriend, Lauren.  She had Chad's yearbook, in which there was a tribute page to him.  What a very sweet gesture!  Whoever was involved in putting that page together did a fantastic job, and we truly are appreciative!!

I want to take a few lines to acknowledge my friend Roy Merideth for the lovely words that he shared in his blog, The Recovering Principal.  Each time I re-read them, I'm more and more humbled.  My only response is that I've known from the very beginning of this journey that God intends to use this tragedy to reveal his goodness.  I'm proud to be a small part of that.

I hope that all of you have had a great week!  Remember to give your kids an extra hug!

Love to All!
Julie

P.S.  Thanks for indulging me!!