Gpa’s Gleanings 20090107
“Are we there yet?” “How soon will we be there?” “Are we almost there?”
Have your children ever asked questions like that? Or, rather, did
you ever bug your parents with similar questions?Just after finishing 6th grade, our family moved from Pennsylvania to the Washington D. C. area. It was only a year or so before WW II and I think we all had difficulty adjusting to the change. We went back and forth to Altoona almost every weekend. I asked that question so often my parents quickly tired of it. It was on those trips, I learned my mother had a lead foot. She traveled 60 miles an hour! In the 40s, that was really fast. “Mom! Are we almost there yet?” She replied, “We’ll be there in just a little while.”
In another few days, Mom [Arlene] will be 82. And for those few short months between January and April, I can say, “She’s two years older that me.” For sure, we’ve put on a lot of miles. The time goes faster than you can think. There’s no doubt about it, we’re far past the halfway point. We’re not there yet, but we’re sure getting closer.
So, yes! I do think about it! It’s been a good trip. I have no regrets. There’s been bumps along the way, but nothing serious. Seven children were born on the journey and we watched them grow and mature. They all came to know the Lord Jesus as Savior. We’ve been thrilled with the arrival of grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are proud of our family—the graduations, the weddings, the new babies. There is nothing more important than our 80 some family and their relation to God, our heavenly Father. We are all on the same journey through life and my prayer is that your trip will be as blessed as ours has been.
And at the end of the road I will meet my Savior, Jesus, face to face. In II Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul wrote, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
I have absolutely no doubts about this. It would be nice, if after I get there, I could come back and tell you all about it. But Jesus already discussed that scenario in Luke 16 regarding the rich man and Lazarus. He said, “If they didn’t listen to Moses and the prophets (or to their grandpa and grandma, or their parents), neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.” So for those who may not have decided to follow or accept Jesus, there is little I can do.
It won’t be long now before we get there. There’s no doubt our house is ready. He started building it some time ago [Jn.14:6]. There’s lots of room, but you do have to have a reservation. If you have not yet confirmed it, you need to take care of that right away. If I get there before you do, I’ll try to get you a place next door on our Golden Street.
Love Gpa G
