15 Minute Car Trip

Photo by Frank McKenna on Unplash

Driving to work earlier this week, I was smiling from ear to ear as I was thinking of Heaven.  A life of eternal joy and peace, as distant from sin as eternity, made my heart happy. Just can’t wait! The morning was beautiful, clouds played above the snowy mountains in the distance, and the sun shone brightly above them. The beginning of a new day, and all I could think about was Heaven. Bliss!

But then I looked in the rearview mirror at the car behind me and I was brought back to earth. A woman drove, but the shadows of the car hid her face so that I couldn’t really see her. On the passenger seat, the sun shone strong on the face of the young man sitting beside her. He had Down Syndrome. My mind started thinking about the mother’s love, patience, and challenges as she strove to prepare her son for life in this world.

This was a busy and emotionally stimulating week. There is so much pain. We truly go through  much hardship on this earth. A friend who believes her prayers don’t pass the ceiling of her home. A friend going through a divorce and struggling to make ends meet. A friend who lost an important amount of money to a trusted loved one. A friend whose young nephew is struggling for his life due complications of the flu. A friend who closes up in her depression. Unplanned pregnancies. Unable to conceive. Feelings of guilt. Struggling with anxiety. Loss of health. Separation of loved ones by distance or death. Work problems. Marriage problems. Parenting challenges.

I thought about all this. The faces of people whom I love attached to all these problems. And I’m still struggling myself to learn to live in this world without any of my parents.

I looked at the car beside me, a young man in the driver’s seat, and wondered what his struggles were?

Overwhelmed by emotion and sadness, my eyes filled with tears. What a horrible world we live in. What a difficult lot sin has placed in our existence.

Thankfully, God gently reminded me that I am to place all my anxieties upon Him. So I did. I placed in His hands each one of my friends and loved ones, including myself. And I felt peace. Because in God’s care is where we all need to be.

How precious then are God’s promises of Heaven and eternal life with Him. How wonderful that our suffering is contained to his earth only. Soon we will be enjoying life, real life, forever separated from sin and its effects, in a place of joy and peace. It’s going to be amazing!

By the time I got to work, I was again smiling from ear to ear. Heaven was, once again, on my mind. What a beautiful day. What an awesome God I serve.

"And the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

I Peter 5:10, 11