Imagine

Tonight, Drew brought home a couple movies we’ve been wanting to see. The one we chose to watch tonight was I Can Only Imagine - the story of the well-known MercyMe song. I’m not normally good at doing anything while watching a movie because I get distracted and either miss the movie or don’t get my work done. Tonight I added in a third thing...and did all three well. While I was working on some work for school and watching the movie, I was also doing some thinking. Here goes:

As a little girl, I always had heaven pictured like the balcony at Cedar Road Missionary Church where I grew up. I really don’t know why. There was nothing particularly ethereal or grandiose about the space. But it was a space that was a big part of my life. I pictured Jesus standing underneath the wood arched ceiling. 

As I grew up, I imagined heaven looking more like a disco studio with bright gold streets and everything around me glittering. I saw Jesus with a glowing gold orb around his head. Just chalk it up to growing up in the 70s and 80s. 

As an adult, I seem to focus my attention more on what my reactions will be when I get to heaven rather than what it looks like. Clearly I’m not the only one. You see, I think we often like to think we know just how we’ll respond in any given situation. But entering heaven may not be so easy to predict. 

Oftentimes I’ve pictured entering heaven and running into the waiting arms of my grandparents. I’ve envisioned seeing my dear childhood friend again. I imagine sitting at the feet of Jesus asking him every question I’ve ever wanted to ask.

But then I realize I really don’t know what it will be like. I’d like to think I’ll walk right up to Jesus and thank him. I’d love to believe that I’ll worship openly in his presence. But the reality of it is that I’m sure I’ll be in such awe, captivated by his presence that I imagine myself being completely frozen. Kind of like if I ever had the chance to meet Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith or any other celebrity. 

The fact is, none of us know how we will act or feel when we enter the presence of Jesus. But one day we’ll all find out. Some of us will hear him say “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of my presence” while others will hear him say, “Away from me! I never knew you!” I know which group I’m in. Do you? If not, I’d love to chat with you! 

❤️ Brenda 

Such a Time as This

If I said my summer job has been a walk in the park, I’d be lying. It’s a lot of wear and tear on my body at times. It’s having to say no to people when my heart wants to help them. It’s knowing I’m completely different from my coworkers. There have been many days I’ve questioned my purpose in being there. There have been days I felt so unappreciated that I felt like giving up. But I don’t give up. Today, I found my purpose in being there. Today, with just two work days left before I get ready to go back to school, my purpose showed up.

Most of my coworkers are much younger than me. Only one is older. Today, one of the young girls came back from lunch in tears. Friends, let’s face it...sometimes life just stinks. Sometimes all the bad stuff hits at the same time. A few of us were at that point today. It was a rough day. You could feel it in the atmosphere. And this sweet young lady was hurting. She simply walked up to me and said, “Can I have a hug?” I hugged her and she simply wept. After a minute or so, I said, “Would you mind if I prayed for you? Because, you know that’s what I do.” She said she was fine with that so I did. We stood there hugging and crying together as I prayed.  Afterwards, she thanked me and I told her I needed that moment today. I admitted I was struggling to feel like I had a purpose there but had just found it.

Friends, if I’ve worked through this whole summer for 5 minutes on July 24, so be it. Those moments were so worth it. Your purpose may not be revealed to you right away, but God will put you in the right place to fulfill your purpose when He needs you too. Remember, Esther didn’t find out her purpose in becoming Queen immediately. She went through some struggles first. If you’re like me and struggling to see your purpose, hang tight! It’ll show up when you least expect it.