Till We Are Home

When your kids grow up, their schedules become quite important. Oftentimes, as a parent, you wonder where your days go as an adult just chasing around the kids to their next activities. 

Even nowadays we have technology that tells us instantly where our children are. We can track them via GPS and see just what they may be up to. For better or worse, we can know where they are at any time and likely what they are doing.

Yesterday, I wondered what my little girl was up to at that moment. 

I don’t have a GPS to see where her dot is. But thankfully, I have the promises in Scripture that tell me my little girl is at the Lord’s side in heaven. So, I at least know where she is.

But I don’t have her schedule. As a parent, you usually always know where your kids are and what they are doing. 9 am is math class, then at 10 they’ll go to P.E. The boy is at work tonight from 6-10 pm and our girl is selling hats at Teskey’s until they close at 6 pm. 

But yesterday at 2 pm in the afternoon, I didn’t know what Isabel was doing. 

The Bible doesn’t reveal too much about what we will experience in heaven as Christians. Part of that has to be the sheer fact that we cannot possibly imagine or behold the glory of heaven as mortal beings. Paul quotes Isaiah 64 in this passage, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”” (1 Cor 2:9) So, it seems pretty clear: what God has prepared for us in Christ to be enjoyed in heaven and life eternal is unimaginable. And, it is not for us to know now. 

Yet, we do get some glimpses of heaven here and there in Scripture. Jesus explained to the thief on the cross that Jesus is with us and that He is with us in Paradise (Lk 23:43). Also, Jesus told the story about Lazarus and the rich man dying where the rich man (in hell) sees Lazarus at the side of Abraham. Thus, we can take from this that we will be alongside saints of old (Lk 16). Then there are images in Revelation such as the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev 19) and the bride made ready (Rev 21). And several others. 

So, what I can surmise from this small snapshot is that my daughter is with Christ in Paradise alongside saints who have gone before awaiting the feast and marriage of the Lamb in eternity future. And that’s a wonderfully rich picture. Short in detail, but rich in hope.

Still, though, I wonder what is my daughter doing? What is my kid up to? Who is she hanging out with? What are they doing? As a parent, I want to know. Not of demand, but of love. I love that kid so much. She’s my darling daughter, my bookend, my sunshine and spunk. She was always so active here on earth. Surely she’s just as active there. But doing what? 

I just miss her. I just miss my little girl and, though I know she is home and happy and secure which brings so much comfort to this daddy’s heart, I would love to know what she’s doing. 

One day I will. One day, when the Lord brings me home and I’m at His side, too, I’ll get to experience Paradise. My little girl will take my hand again just like she would here on earth. But this time she’ll show me around and tell me all the things she’s done. All the saints of old she’s met. Tell me of her adventures with Christ and her Pop Pop, family, loved ones, and so many others.

She’ll show me the place Jesus prepared for her. Like our seats at church in the third row where our family has always sat, she’ll show me the place around the throne where she sits to worship. And, finally, I’ll know what she’s doing. The Lord will redeem it all.

But today, like yesterday, I’m missing my little girl and just wondering – with hope – what she is doing…

Till we are home…