Where Birthdays Are No More

June 22.

Mom's birthday. The one she wanted to live to see.

She tried. She really tried. What an amazing woman she was.

For those of us left behind, this day is strange.

Relief that she is no longer hurting, no longer striving, no longer trying.

Sorrow because we long to be near her.

Gratitude for what she gave us.

As one of my sisters said, the world is "off" now. Not right. Different. Nothing matters and yet everything matters very much.

As my brother and I discussed--our mother's love continues through us. Each time we love on a little one--oh, how she loved babies. Each time we bake something she was known for or sing a song or plant or pick a flower. Even in our anger, her love lives on.

She will never be 75. And what an amazing blessing that is, because now she lives outside of time. We mark our days by birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, celebrations …

But the celebration in heaven isn't marked by time. An eternal celebration of the Blood of The Lamb is going strong. The eternal celebration of life in paradise without end. The eternal celebration of the love of God.

My mom praised Jesus for giving her strength. In her last days, when words were few, she praised Him for strength. What an amazing remembrance. He is the Giver of all strength.

I think on that often.

Are you longing for someone?

It's okay to cry, but don't cry too long. Instead, try to imagine the celebration. Try to imagine eternity outside of time.

I gave all I understood of myself to all I understood of God when I was young. My dad told me of his prayer asking Jesus into his heart at the age of 18. I don't know how old my mom was when she invited Jesus into her heart. I hope you have done so as well.

When I step outside of time and into forever, I'll thank Jesus for saving my soul. I'll find my dad. He's been gone ten years.  And I'll find my mom. And we will recognize each other.

And we will celebrate Jesus forever and ever and ever and ever …

And birthdays will be no more.

Wishing for Rules

Monopoly.

Buy more property and houses than the other players and you win.

Baseball.

Hold your opponent's team to a score lower than your team's score and, you win.

Cookies.

Bake in a 375 oven for ten minutes and you'll have the perfect bite of soft-cookie-goodness.

Driving.

Maintain the speed limit on your next trip, and you won't get a speeding ticket.

I've stumbled into something that has no rules. And, while everyone will experience this sooner or later, there is no one to tell me to "place tab A into slot B" and everything will fall into place.

Wading through grief that changed the world is like walking in familiar surroundings while covered in a dense fog.

Anger. Despair. Joy. Peace. Hope. They all live in the fog.

I keep looking for some sort of timepiece, something that will announce a date and time the fog will lift.

While searching for a way out, I've stumbled over something amazing.

Truth.

Truth in the form of kept promises. Promises such as:

"I will be with you wherever you go."

"The Lord is my rock and my shelter."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart … "

"He is faithful to complete that which he started."

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I'm not alone in the fog. Whether an emotion catches me off guard or I feel it coming, I am not alone. God has kept His promise to be near and to provide. All I have to do is trust Him on purpose.

I trust Him. On purpose.

If I Could Speak Freely ...

There's a shift in ministry at the local church.

Not just my church.

Churches across the country.

People, especially young Dad's and Mom's, are very interested in reaching out to our communities.

This is a wonderful thing. Impacting people where they are. Reaching them with the Gospel of Christ.

If I could speak freely.

I'd say …

Please don't forget us.

As you build ramps, distribute food, mow lawns, and offer a cool drink of water … please don't forget us.

Us.

The people who faithfully teach the children and students every time people gather in the building.

We are a band of volunteers who give of our time and our hearts to reach the children and youth.

And as the church is going out into the communities--which is a very good and biblical thing--we are in a sort of crises inside the walls.

Those of us who have the calling of equipping, mentoring, and praying for the volunteers who teach, are struggling.

We are longing and praying for God to place a burning deep in the hearts of His people. A burning to make a difference. We ask God to send us people who love kids and students. We, at times, beg God for leadership that is sold out. No drop in, drop out.

We recognize the power of God through relationships built between leaders and learners.

If you attend my church, know that I am praying for YOU. I am praying you will set fear aside and trust God to do what only God can do.

If you attend another church, know that I am praying for YOU. I am praying you will set fear aside and trust God to do what only God can do.

Your children's pastors (ministry directors) and student ministers need you. We need a team of people who recognize the value of reaching and teaching within the church walls.

The children and students need you.

Yes, go out into the communities and show them Jesus. And when you come to worship or your small group study … you can know … there are young people in the building who need to see Jesus too.

We have a lot of kingdom work to do. Let's do this together, for the glory of God and the good of the people.