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Arrivals and Departures

Recently I returned from Southern California to see our daughter’s Michelle enter married bliss. I anticipated my arrival time, for I knew that I would have the joy of witnessing a wedding, gaining a new grandson, and seeing our younger son’s two daughters, Alyssa and Hilarie.

When I arrived, my granddaughter, a beautiful red head picked me up at the airport. Slowly the family gathered and I saw Tommy, Michelle, Jenny, Anna and Brent. The arrival ‘butterflies’ fluttered each time I saw another of my family. In the five years since we last saw Tommy, Michelle and Jenny, I found they were no longer the adorable loving little tykes, but adorable loving teens.

The days flew by with much to do. Thursday was the rehearsal at Mariners Church. And there more friends and Jason’s family to meet. Rehearsal dinner was enjoyed at Jason’s grandmother’s house on a hill overlooking the valley. I loved the new terrain, the different trees, especially the exquisite lilac-hued trees. I loved the flow of life in California, the relaxed-ness.

On Friday, Alyssa and Hilarie wanted to see the ocean. I did, too. We had simple directions from Jenny, we had a GPS in the car, we had an Internet map. We began with high hopes of an arrival time. I enjoyed being the Grandmother-in-the-back-seat-being chauffeured by Tim & Karen’s daughters. I listened to my wise and resourceful granddaughters as they worked together to solve the problem before them – to follow the maps to the ocean. I knew that with my sense of direction (lack of), any comment I made would provide no help at all. As time was short, and it was lunch time, we stopped for a subway sandwich and returned home. That was one arrival that didn’t happen. I was thankful that my granddaughters and I had time alone. I thought about a deeper meaning! Unless we have Jesus as our compass, and the Word as our GPS, and keep our eye on the goal we can travel in circles, just like Moses.

I thought about our arrival in Heaven. About the welcome of our family in Christ there. About the different terrain in Heaven. To see trees more beautiful than here on earth. Will we see the Tree of Life? Will we know our earthly family, or will we be united in one family, the family of God? Will there be rejoicing and a celebration when we arrive? The answers are obscured for now. I heard someone say that we will taste colors. Imagine how intense and heightened our senses will be to enjoy the wonders of Heaven!

When Michelle and Jason arrived in the Bahama’s for their honeymoon, they had to depart first. We all depart from our journey here in this life. Michelle’s concern was no phone service for her cell phone in the Bahamas. That was the same concern of their parents. They sent 4 or 5 text messages as they made each flight change on the way. Yes, we feel the need to communicate with our family here on earth, and Jesus wants us to communicate with Him as we journey here.

In one of the blogs I chronicled my Grandmother Emilie’s departure from Russia to this country. No phones then, no way to communicate. Letters took weeks and months to reach their destinations. Faith was the only way to endure when the communication was nil and family is no in the near vicinity. And travel can change our lives.

When Jacob left home, he didn’t realize he would acquire two wives, children, servants and animals. His departure was hurried, and his trip was long. And the trip changed his life.
Our most important departure is when we need a passport and we are washed in the blood of Jesus. We do not know when our flight is called, but we must be packed and ready to leave this world.

Perhaps the time we anticipate our final departure is delayed. Just as my return flight was delayed 5 hours. I wondered what I was to learn as I waited. Then it came to me as I watched the many people moving to and fro in the airport. I saw fat people, skinny people, tall people, short people, well dressed people, casually dressed people, babies, teens, Grandparents, adults, Moms and Dads — and God was present when each one was conceived,

Psalm 139:13-17 – Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day. He hears the prayers of all the people…around the world…and through many ages. His love is bountiful and plentiful.

There is no end to His Goodness. He desires that we care about each other, and envelope each other with the Agape Love of Jesus Christ.

Our arrival through the gates of heaven will be a welcome like no other – as the arms of Jesus enfold us. For there is no other salvation except through the name of Jesus.

Arrivals and Departures – each is made endurable here on earth if we have Jesus by our side.

I booked a flight plan
When first I believed
To walk in Your Way
Not packing earthly things – no need.

Mountain peaks rise in the air
Longing to be near to You
Mountains dressed in trees or snow.
They know their Creator true!

Flying High, I’m flying high
Up, up in the sky
No longer on His earth
No longer plodding,
no longer struggling
I’ve been reborn with a new birth.

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