Rebekah sat beside me in the front seat of the car as I drove her to school. The quaint country road stretched before us, paving the way through blooming trees and fresh spring flowers that boasted of new life and promise. But what caught my daughter’s attention on that crisp morning were the rays of sunshine breaking through the holes of cotton-stuffed clouds. The rays appeared to originate from heaven, but found their landing place as they ever so gently kissed the earth.
“God must be taking someone up to be with him,” she commented as she gazed at the rays. “That’s what I always think of when I see rays from heaven. And you know what, Mama…I can’t wait to go there.”
I was surprised at my young daughter’s comment. I smiled. “Yes, it’s going to be glorious. Why are you excited to go there?” I expected her answer to be about living in mansions like castles, riding on unicorns with rainbow tails, and seeing her Gigi that had gone there a few years ago. But what she said next grabbed at my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
“Because I get to see Jesus.” She paused as if she was allowing the moment to play out in her mind. “And I get to hug Him and kiss Him.”
Because I get to see Jesus. And I get to hug Him and kiss Him.
I was so taken back by the maturity of her words. Oh how Jesus must’ve been smiling to hear her heart desire Him and not just His blessings.
This begs us to ask ourselves the question, “What do I look most forward to in heaven? Is it Jesus or is it His blessings?”
Dear friend, when our answer becomes Jesus, we have discovered the most blessed thing. His presence is our greatest treasure.
She who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
It is His presence that comforts us. That strengthens us. That heals us. In His presence is joy…unspeakable joy.
And the good news for today is that you don’t have to wait until heaven to experience His presence. You can come to Him right now, wherever you are, and experience Him.
Bring your brokenness to Him. Bring your fears. And rest in Him.
My daughter has discovered, at such a tender age, something that many spend a lifetime searching for…the presence of her Savior.
Dear friend, may you lay your heart before Jesus today and find rest for your body and restoration for your soul.
“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. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
Anna Frye is a speaker, author, television producer and founder of Chosen and Crowned. She invites women to celebrate imperfect progress fueled by the grace of a perfect God. She helps them bravely talk about the messy places of life, instead of hiding shamefully under them. She believes that lasting beauty comes when we courageously surrender our ashes to God and allow him to do something miraculous with them. If this resonates with you, then you belong with the Chosen and Crowned tribe. Connect at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog
