Far Kingdom…Grateful for the Future

I’ve shared before that of all the DoAheads a gal could do it’s the DoAhead Devo that means the most to me.

The time I get to spend with Him reframes my past, lends perspective to my present and changes my future.

He is refining me and I am certain that the woman I see in the mirror today will be different from the one that holds my gaze ten years from now. That my friends constitutes a major DoAhead.

But this past week He took my DoAhead Woman journey to a whole new level. He caught me by surprise (He can be a bugger that way). I planned out my tidy topics on gratitude. Past, present and future… the perfect trifecta. It made sense to me.

Practicing gratitude for the past was a velour blanket on a cold night…I wanted to stay wrapped in it.

Gratitude for the little’s in my day was akin to finding a note from a friend stuck between the bills. A surprise like that always makes me smile.

Gratitude for the future? This was the biggest surprise of all. I was certain God would take me to a place that I could imagine, something I could get my head around.

He didn’t.

Of course He didn’t.

He whispered in my ear that I had set my sights too short. I wanted to open a window. He wanted to open a gate. His strong arm threw it back and as it swung on it’s hinges I saw——

Wide, open spaces.

He wanted me to remember the greatest DoAhead. The one that happened the moment I said yes to Christ. It changed my home address. And that’s what He prompted me to be thankful for…

Home.

The gratitude He’s placed in me for the past and present are a gift indeed. But this week He reminded me of my hope for the future and I’m not talking Christmas with the cousins. I’m talking THE future.

Streets made of gold.

No more tears.

Reunions with loved ones.

No more pain.

Unimaginable joy.

But since we’re friends can I be super transparent?  I don’t get it. I’m certain I don’t. How can I? This place, my house, this flesh, my senses——-these things are all familiar to me. Giving thanks for them is somehow within my grasp. But how on earth do I give thanks for heaven?

How friends do I get my head around that?

He is big. I am small.

I stand by the ocean and I tremble. Literally. The ocean’s bigness scares me. I said I do dirt better than water and I wasn’t kidding.

Tell me, please, how do I give thanks for heaven?

Maybe I don’t.

I’ve wasted decades thinking that much of my journey was about what I could do in my own strength. Time and time again my patient Father has shown me the amazing things that can happen when I——

Turn over the wheel and let Him drive.

I whisper to Him, “I don’t want to love you. I want to be in love with you but I can’t even do that on my own.” He whispers back, “I’ve got this.”

Not sure how. Not sure when. But He kept His word.

So that’s it. My honest admission to you that in my pursuit of gratitude for the future I learned I have more to learn. I’m convinced I can’t chase this thing of utter gratitude and tenability regarding the realities of heaven on my own. But do you know what excites me?

He is big and I am small.

That used make me feel like a failure. Now it leaves me full of anticipation.

Anticipation for:

• what He will continue to do in me
• what He will do through me
• what He has waiting for me in this life
• what He has waiting for me in the next life

Will you take this journey with me?

I’m asking God to cultivate a sense of eternity within me.  I need His internal compass to put my past and present in perspective. But more than that I need Him to activate my homing beacon so that every day (even if it’s just a little bit) I will find myself looking toward my true home.

The Holiday’s are right around the corner and we all know we’ll be running like crazy women. So, before the “beautiful but leaves me breathless season” begins would you take a moment and listen to this song? It will touch you. It might even make you cry but I promise they will be sweet tears.

Tears of gratitude.

The Gray Havens – Far Kingdom from EBourcier Creative on Vimeo.

Next Monday’s DoAhead Devo is a special treat! I have a give-away and a guest post from someone that you will be so glad you met! In the meantime, will you join me in placing our hearts in the hands of the Farmer? Let’s ask Him to cultivate a gratitude in us for the future like only He can do.

Oh, and remember, today is Inspire Me Monday with Angie Ryg!

If you’d like to hook up with new friends check out their blogs. (I’m certain their inspiration will fall under 1,000 gifts!) If you want to participate the guidelines are below.

You may have found a recipe that you’re sure is from heaven…SHARE! Maybe you have a da’bomb decor’ idea that’s a snap…SHARE! Or perhaps your Monday has met you with words of inspiration…please SHARE!

These lovely ladies (including your DoAhead friend) will be co-hosting with Angie: Denise J. Hughes and Anita Strawn de Ojeda. Below are your  1-2-3′s for linking up and living life inspired!

1. Link up an inspirational post from the previous week (just one please.)

2. Visit two other contributors (especially the person who linked up right before you) and leave an encouraging comment.

3. Share the inspiration three ways…you can tweet, share a post on Facebook, Pin-It, Instagram-It, WHATEVER form of social media you choose…just SHARE!



Your {Looking to Home} DoAhead Friend,