June 2nd
Today marks 7 months since our little Alivia entered the presence of ultimate joy. As my mind has wandered back to the events of November 2nd, I have also taken time this morning to imagine what joy and laughter she must be experiencing, perhaps with new friends like Chase and Micah.
I was helped by what I read this morning in my devotions, encouraging me of what laughter and joy await me in heaven:
"Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." - Luke 6:21
"And as I knelt beside the brook
To drink eternal life, I took
A glance across the golden grass,
And saw my dog, Old Blackie, fast
As she could come. She leaped the stream -
Almost - and what a happy gleam
Was in her eye. I knelt to drink,
And knew what I was on the brink
Of endless joy. And everywhere
I turned I saw a wonder there." - John Piper
"And as I knelt beside the brook
To drink eternal life, I took
A glance across the golden grass,
And saw my dog, Old Blackie, fast
As she could come. She leaped the stream -
Almost - and what a happy gleam
Was in her eye. I knelt to drink,
And knew what I was on the brink
Of endless joy. And everywhere
I turned I saw a wonder there." - John Piper
"In Heaven, I believe our joy will often erupt in laughter...I think Christ will laugh with us, and his wit and fun-loving nature will be our greatest sources of endless laughter...
There's nothing like the laughter of dear driends. The Bible often portrays us around the dinner table in God's coming Kingdom,. What do you hear when friends gather to eat and talk? The sound of laughter...
The new universe will ring with laughter. Am I just speculating about this? No. I can point to Scripture worth memorizing. Jesus said, 'Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh' (Luke 6:21). You will laugh...
The reward of those who mourn now will be laughter later. Passages such as Luke 6 gave the early Christians strength to endure persecution in 'an understanding of heaven as the compensation for lost earthly privileges' (McDannell and Lang). In early Christian Greek tradition, Easter Monday was a 'day of joy and laughter,' called Bright Monday. Only the followers of Christ can laugh in the face of persecution and death because they know that their present trouble isn't all there is. They know that someday they will laugh. By God's grace, we can laugh right now, even under death's shadow. Jesus doesn't say, 'if you weep, soon things on Earth will take a better turn, and then you'll laugh.' Things won't always take a better turn on an Earth under the Curse. Sickness, loss, grief, and death will find us. Just as our reward will come in Heaven, laughter (itself one of our rewards) will come in Heaven, compensating for our present sorrow. God won't only wipe away all our tears he'll fill our hearts with joy and our mouths with laughter. Those who are poor, diseased, and grieving experience therapeutic laughter. At memorial services, people laugh quickly. The best carefree moments on Earth bring laughter. And if we can laugh hard now - in a world full of poverty, disease, and disasters - then surely what awaits us in Heaven is far greater laughter...
Who's the most intelligent, creative, witty, and joyful human being in the universe? Jesus Christ. Whose laughter will be loudest and most contagious on the New Earth? Jesus Christ. When you face difficulty and discouragement, keep your eyes on joy's source. Recite Christ's promise for the new world, a promise that echoes off the far reaches of the universe: You will laugh." - Randy Alcorn
There's nothing like the laughter of dear driends. The Bible often portrays us around the dinner table in God's coming Kingdom,. What do you hear when friends gather to eat and talk? The sound of laughter...
The new universe will ring with laughter. Am I just speculating about this? No. I can point to Scripture worth memorizing. Jesus said, 'Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh' (Luke 6:21). You will laugh...
The reward of those who mourn now will be laughter later. Passages such as Luke 6 gave the early Christians strength to endure persecution in 'an understanding of heaven as the compensation for lost earthly privileges' (McDannell and Lang). In early Christian Greek tradition, Easter Monday was a 'day of joy and laughter,' called Bright Monday. Only the followers of Christ can laugh in the face of persecution and death because they know that their present trouble isn't all there is. They know that someday they will laugh. By God's grace, we can laugh right now, even under death's shadow. Jesus doesn't say, 'if you weep, soon things on Earth will take a better turn, and then you'll laugh.' Things won't always take a better turn on an Earth under the Curse. Sickness, loss, grief, and death will find us. Just as our reward will come in Heaven, laughter (itself one of our rewards) will come in Heaven, compensating for our present sorrow. God won't only wipe away all our tears he'll fill our hearts with joy and our mouths with laughter. Those who are poor, diseased, and grieving experience therapeutic laughter. At memorial services, people laugh quickly. The best carefree moments on Earth bring laughter. And if we can laugh hard now - in a world full of poverty, disease, and disasters - then surely what awaits us in Heaven is far greater laughter...
Who's the most intelligent, creative, witty, and joyful human being in the universe? Jesus Christ. Whose laughter will be loudest and most contagious on the New Earth? Jesus Christ. When you face difficulty and discouragement, keep your eyes on joy's source. Recite Christ's promise for the new world, a promise that echoes off the far reaches of the universe: You will laugh." - Randy Alcorn
Been praying for you all morning and so grateful to hear how the Lord is strengthening your faith this day. Much grace abounds in you as you steadfastly trust the Savior in grief. Longing for heaven with you...
We are praying for you!
Love,
emily b.