Until I See You Again – The Next Chapter

Thank you to mja, Shepherds staff, for writing today's blog.

And so it ends. Or more correctly said, a new chapter begins.

Eternity - no beginning and, what a glorious blessing, no end.

Can you even fathom that concept? What can you think of in this world in which we live that has no beginning? Everything and everyone started somewhere at some time. No thing on this earth has always been. And no thing on this earth will always be.

Eternity – I simply cannot wrap my mind around that concept.

Just a few months ago, Michael’s father passed into eternity. He now knows a joy that is so far beyond anything he could ever hope to experience on this earth. A beauty that is beyond the ability of his wildest imagination to conceive. The glory that is Heaven.

Michael, his son, remains here at Shepherds. Michael has his father’s portrait, a beautiful memory of his last visit with his father. Sweet memories of his father’s love and the precious time they spent together.

Can you take just a moment to imagine with me what it might be like some day when Michael joins his father in Heaven? I would like to think that Jesus Christ would come over to Michael’s father and whisper in his ear, “He’s coming! Your son Michael is on his way!” What joy and anticipation as he waits at Heaven’s gate, anxiously looking out over the distance to spot his son.

I wonder if Michael’s father will recognize his son? Michael, no longer walking haltingly toward his father, hindered by this life’s difficulties, but racing toward him with the ease of a practiced long distance runner, quickly closing the gap between them, his arms reaching out to greet his father. Michael, with the biggest smile on his face, and words that he had been unable to say all of his life suddenly spilling out of his heart. Michael, his son, now so different, now whole, now perfect. And an eternity to spend together.

And so it begins.