A Sure Thing

I often think of Nate and his present-day surroundings. He’s four years gone from us, which translates to four years in the presence of Jesus. Scripture gives an inkling about what he’s experiencing, but for the most part it’s all a question mark.

???????????????????????????????While walking the Lake Michigan wave-line, which I often do, I keep my eyes on the stones underfoot. Because of winter’s wild waves, beach glass and choice rocks can easily be found at this time of year. Although I carried a collection bag, my mind was a million miles away, and I hadn’t picked up a single stone.

I was walking in a familiar place, but where was Nate walking? What was he doing? He’s already met Jesus and no doubt has been supernaturally humbled, falling to the ground as we all probably will when we see our Lord. Has Jesus touched him on the shoulder the way he did John? (Revelation 1:17) Has he said, “Don’t be afraid. Let me show you some of the marvels of Paradise and tell you things that will astound you.”?

Is he learning of specific times a guardian angel saved him from accidents? Or how his prayers were answered? Or what Jesus’ parables mean, even the ones that didn’t get written down? Has he been given answers to all of his questions?

As I walked along the beach, I felt left out. I know I’m headed for the same miraculous experiences Nate is now having and wouldn’t dream of rushing God’s time table to get there, but I just wanted to understand at least part of what was happening to him today. That’s all.

Watching hundreds of stones pass beneath my toes as I walked but picking up none, my eye suddenly landed on something special. Not even half an inch long, it was a stone of nondescript grey. The reason it caught my eye, though, was its square shape and the perfect heart carved inside it.

Heart rockI picked it up and stared at it. As I did, God flooded my mind with a message. “I realize you’re frustrated not knowing what’s happening to Nate. You’re also bothered by not being able to watch my interaction with him or listen in to our conversation. But what about the conversation I’m trying to have with you today? See that stone in your hand? With a million rocks under your feet, what were the odds you’d find that one?”

I knew the answer: a million to one.

Although there’s much I don’t know, I do know one critical thing. Jesus loves me and told me today. And as I turned toward home, I contributed to the conversation by saying, “Lord, I love you, too.”

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)

15 thoughts on “A Sure Thing

  1. Our God is just SO AWESOME!!! What a treasure – from the sand…..oh my…..a quiet walk with Him – how He speaks in the stillness. Precious blog, my dear!

  2. Is that a fossil? If so I wonder how many thousands of years ago it was formed so it could find you yesterday?

  3. Thanks Margaret. Really needed this today. Today is Tom’s birthday and I was thinking about what he is seeing in Heaven earlier today. Beautiful post!

  4. What a fabulous stone – you should have it made into a necklace as a reminder of God’s miracles. I’m looking forward, in the not too distant future, to meeting Nate. It’s exciting isn’t it?

  5. Thanks, I also needed this today, it will be seven years on the 5th that my husband went to heaven…I wonder every day what it is like and hope he is ok , also know it has to be great! And some day when it is our turn, we will know and be with our love ones…

    Thanks again ..

  6. Hi Margaret:
    I just finished your wonderful devotional for widows “Hope for an Aching Heart.” I am 50 years old, and am recently widowed. My precious husband of 31 years died this past April from a terminal cancer diagnosis. I am “getting through this” only by God’s great mercy and love. I love the picture of the rock you found, a concrete reminder that nothing,not even widowhood, will ever separate us from God’s love.

    Blessings,
    Arlene
    Ps. 73:25-26; Deut. 30:20a