Life or Life!

My back was as stiff as a frozen tree. South Dakota’s recent sub-zero temps were taking a toll on more than the foliage.

I decided to try my downward-dog inches from the fireplace. Translation? It wasn’t long until I was the proud owner of hot-cross buns. Heat permeated my “fifty-ish” year-old body and honestly, it felt amazing. The restoration of fluidity to my frame had begun.

The process was equipping my body for the daily duties ahead, however, it was taking a little longer than I had hoped. Let’s blame it on the temperature (as opposed to age.) The bottom line is that I had time to think. While I waited for brittle bones to bend I began to feel another kind of warmth emerge. This one didn’t emanate from my rear end——–it came from my heart.

I was thinking about Suzie Eller’s word prompt for #livefree Thursday.

Life or Death.

I began to ponder the plethora of obituaries that kept greeting me in the morning paper. One such example was a local hero who was being memorialized at the Corn Palace. (The Corn Palace is our communities biggest resource for large gatherings. The bottom line? There were many hurting people in our town.)

My downward-dog morphed into a salutation to the Son and I wondered what on earth accounted for the warm feeling in my heart? I had only one explanation. A believer knows it’s not life or death.

It’s Life or Life.

I began to imagine the fulfillment of one of my deepest wishes. When I get to the other side I want to climb in God’s lap, lay my head on His chest and be still. I want to rest in His embrace. I have no idea if that’s exactly how it will work but do know that you and I can look forward to the fulfillment of these truths:

We’ll have a room…a very real place to go.

“Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me.  There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3 NLT 

We’ll experience incredible reunions.

“You’ll see it with your own eyes— all those painful partings turned into reunions!’ God’s Promise.” Zephaniah 3:18 MSG

We’ll never cry anymore (not one tear) and we’ll never experience pain.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 NLT

We’ll have a new body.

“For we know that when this tent we live in now is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have wonderful new bodies in heaven, homes that will be ours forevermore, made for us by God himself and not by human hands. How weary we grow of our present bodies. That is why we look forward eagerly to the day when we shall have heavenly bodies that we shall put on like new clothes.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 ESV

{Believe me, when you hit your fifties the idea of a resurrected body takes on real appeal. 🙂 }

Life or Life.

“Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.” Philippians 1:21 MSG (Emphasis mine.)

Christs loss of life on that gnarly tree in the shape of “T” ensured we would never lose. We need only believe it and receive it. I do and——– I. Am. Grateful. 

Stop by Suzie’s blog today or this weekend (hopefully while you’re sipping a cup of homemade cocoa!) You’ll be blessed by the many girlfriends sharing their moving, funny, inspirational takes on “Life or Death.”

If you were busy and missed Wednesday’s post you’ll want to check it out. Contributor Lauren Fletcher shared wisdom that’s already helping me keep my New Year’s resolution. I’m trying to take better care of myself but good gravy… there are always obstacles! Lauren’s post is helping me…it will help you too. Pinky swear promise.

Your DoAhead Friend,