A Year in Heaven

A year has flown by in a merciful haze. One year ago, my husband had his final heartbeat on earth.

But I am choosing joy today, not sadness, knowing that my (never late) late husband, Barry, has spent a year in his new home, (John 14:2-6) in his new body, ( Phil 3: 20-21)  and didn’t have to go to work! (Revelation 14:13.)   Barry used to say, “Elle , can you hurry up and win the lottery so I don’t have to work?”

Barry has spent a year in God’s holy presence in a world without sin. He is reunited with his children, his parents, his brother, his grandparents.  What indescribable wonders of God’s love must he be enjoying!  I can only imagine. 

The song below is from the movie, I Can Only Imagine. The film chronicles the lead singer of the popular Christian band, Mercy Me. In the movie, a father/ son relationship is deeply fractured but restored to wholeness through the salvation of Jesus Christ in the father’s life. This story closely mirrored Barry’s life, and the movie made him cry. When the movie was over, Barry wiped a tear away and said, “The theater was dusty.”

The real life son, Bart Millard, wrote the song, ” I Can Only Imagine” as he envisioned what his father must be seeing for the first time in heaven. I feel every word now, on a visceral level.

I hold on to this promise today – Lamentations 3:31-33

“For no one is abandoned
    by the Lord forever.
 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion
    because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
For he does not enjoy hurting people
    or causing them sorrow.”

THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR UNFAILING LOVE AND THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF MY HUSBAND!