My middle daughter's 'other mother' just got horrible news this past week - - horrible news that means her husband, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren and others who care for her also got horrible news. She experienced loss of half of her vision in each eye, and on Wednesday was told that she has inoperable brain cancer. It is shocking news!
When my daughter and son-in-law sat down with their 3 children (ages 7, 10 & 14) on Wednesday after the diagnosis, they told them the truth about what was found, and the prognosis. That news brought immediate tears. In comforting the children they explained that the Doctor said Nana should go do everything fun she has ever wanted to do right away, while she can, and that they'd still be going on the cruise planned for next month.... (It is one of Nana's 'bucket list' items, and was already scheduled in December. Amazing timing....you'd think God had it all in His knowing and was working out important details.... It's obvious to me He was!)
So, through tears and sobs, our youngest granddaughter said, "Maybe Jesus will come back before Nana dies so she doesn't have to die." That thought was quickly followed by, "But it sure would be a bummer if He came back before the cruise."
In the midst of the most extreme sadness, levity.
The next morning, my granddaughter told my daughter, "It's O K if Jesus comes before the cruise. I'm sure we'll have an even better one in heaven." She's 7 - and eternity is etched in her soul.
Life is short. Eternity is a L - O - N - G time. God gave us a manual - a travel guide - and it tells us the route for getting to our final destination. B-I-B-L-E: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
The Old Testament looks forward to the coming of the Messiah and the New Testament reveals him and God's eternal plan. Yeshua ha Meshiach, Jesus the Messiah. If someone has never read the Bible, I recommend starting in the New Testament - and John tells us the most basic of basics:
John 3:16 is not just for signs at ballgames - but it is truth encapsulated:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.
Verse 17 is also instructive: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.
He paid the price for our salvation. It is a gift bought with His blood as the final sacrifice ever required. We can accept the gift - or reject it. It's our choice. That's Bible basics at its core.
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