Trust your struggles.

Every time I see a book written by someone who claims they have caught a glimpse of Heaven or experienced being there, I buy it, borrow it or download it.  I want to know all I can know about it.  I have family there. Part of me is there. A big piece of my heart is there.  I want to know what she sees, what she feels, and what she is doing.  I want to know that there is more than just harps, choirs, and clouds.  Of course, there is more. Jesus said it is!!

Recently,  I finished reading  Dr. Mary Neal's book, To Heaven and Back.  I started reading it one morning and could not put it down.  She makes reference after reference to the scriptures which confirm her experiences with the beauty of the afterlife.  Many times, we (myself included) make scriptures say what we want them to mean.  I remember when Kara was going through struggles, many people would offer the scripture, Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  This could mean healing, prosperity, comfort, peace, and anything else that would fit our situation. I'm not certain that it is meant as we sometimes perceive it.  Our future and hope may not be "a future and a hope" here on earth as we know it.  Because we are promised eternal life through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, our future and our hope are eternal, too. 

A sweet friend who heroically faces everyday with and for her two sons without her sweet husband, her soul mate, shared with me that she read somewhere that strength comes from trusting your struggles.  I've given that much thought.  Trust your struggles.  I've come to realize that compared to life eternal, our earthly concerns should diminish as they allow us to experience joy unspeakable in the middle of our sorrows and pain.  As I trust Him, I will trust my struggles and know that He does have plans for me; to give me a future and a hope. . .  eternally.