Eternity

I was reading a blog today that made me sad. It reminded me of different passings in my life. I lost my mother a year and a half ago. That was difficult. We knew it was coming. She was not in good health. We also knew where she was going, that she would have a new body and she would be healthy and that made her passing much easier to bear. My father-in-law died two days after Jessica, my 5 1/2 year old was born. My husband still gets emotional. He loved his father so much and was devastated when he passed away. But, there again, we know we will see him again and he will be in a new body. Both of them died peacefully.

My friend's father died several years ago. He was an atheist all of his life. Denied that there was any existence of God. Wanted nothing to do with religion. Wanted to make money, left his wife for a new wife, lived a hard life. Lived life on his terms. Unfortunately for him, his death was not on his terms. He left this world shrieking and pulling at his hair. I shudder to think what he may have seen. I am thankful to God that I never will find out.

You see bumper stickers and such that say things about you being wrong and it being an eternity in hell. It's true. So what if there really is no God. I know there is, but what if? Okay, well, I led a better life because of my faith in God. I am a stronger person because of my faith in God. I know where I will be going because of my faith in God. But what about you? Do you believe there is a God? Do you know where you are going? What if I am right and you are not? This is eternity we are talking about. And that is permanent! The thought that people I love may not be going to Heaven because they did not choose God saddens me. There is no fence-riding on this one. If you do not CHOOSE God, then He will not allow you into Heaven. It is not whether or not you are bad or choose the devil. But if you are not on God's side, there is only one alternative. There is no gray area. Our society likes to soften everything, make it more palatable, more accepted. But God's Word is very clear. It is Him or eternal hell. No other choices. I hope and pray that those I love choose to go to heaven. It is Eternity. That is forever.

Lightbulb in my head...

May have come up with a good home based business. Will let you in on it when I figure it out. Maybe it'll work. Wish me luck!

Perspectives

I usually sit in the back row during church. Mainly because of the children. Rebekah going back and forth from kid's church into the sanctuary, going to get the kids for communion, etc. It all looks different from the back row. I was always a back rower in school. That was so nobody would be behind me and also so I could get away with more. I am not trying to get away with anything anymore, but it does give you an entirely different perspective being in the back. Sometimes people get emotional in church. For one reason or another. It doesn't matter why. But if you are in the back, you more readily notice them. You notice just about everything from the back row. Cues from the music team, people's reactions to the sermons, people's reactions to each other, whether or not the gift-bearers remember to bring up the gifts, checking that the doors are open in the back at the end of the service. The back rowers notice it all.

And sometimes you see people who are hurting and need some support. They usually sit near the back as well. When someone is hurting, my instinct is to go and try to comfort them. Some people like it, some don't. Most don't mind. They like it that someone cares. Like I said, it doesn't matter why and I rarely ask. Although many times people will open up and just want someone to talk to. I don't repeat it. It's nobody's business. But I think one of the reasons I will remain in the back row is for the people who need the comforting. That is one gift I am thankful that God has given me. The ability to sense when someone is hurting. Whether it is in church or somewhere else. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes not so much, but if I am in the right place at the right time, it wasn't me, it was God. So, if you ever get emotional, or just need a shoulder to lean on or cry on, I will be there, because that is where I am led to be. In the back row.