I was standing in the bathroom, attempting to apply eye liner, as my little girl sat at my feet on the bathroom floor. Like usual, we were shootin’ the breeze and rackin’ up our word counts for the day. FYI: Did you know that a study was done on the differences between male and female communication, and they found that women (on average) have a 20,000 word count each day as opposed to men who have a 7,000 word count??? Ummm…duh! Did we REALLY need to conduct a research study to learn this?!?!
I digress, but hey…maybe I’m running behind on my word count average today. (Wink)
Anyway, we were talkin’ about why mommy chooses to apply brown dust to her face, and why I like to paint lines on my eye lids, and when she will be old enough to use lotions in pink containers and perfume in glass bottles and before I knew it, the conversation swam to the deep-end.
Truly, I have no clue how we got there, but we did. Within seconds, I found myself lamenting over the sadness and grief I was feeling related to a particular situation in our lives.
My little girl sat and listened, listened and sat.
When I turned to make sure my captivated audience of one was still listening (she was), she looked up at me with wide eyes and said in a matter-of-fact spirit, “Mommy, this is earth. It’s not heaven. It’s going to be sad here.”
Sitting cross-legged on the floor with sparkled leggings and a patterned tunic, she waited for my response.
To be honest, I was a little blown away by her theologically-sound response…by her wise assessment…and by her condensed summary of the words she was hearing pour forth from my heart.
“Evie Rae, you are right. You are SO right. This IS earth.”
Sensing that she had said something wise, she continued.
“Yeah, Mommy. And we can’t expect to be happy here all the time because that only happens when you live with Jesus.”
Folks, tears and eye liner are like toothpaste and Oreos; they don’t mix so well.
Her words created both a sting and a balm.
As I finished getting ready, I kept mulling over her simple and profound words. And today, almost a week later, I am still mulling.
Isn’t that just the hard-fast Truth???
THIS IS EARTH.
And because it’s Earth and because we don’t live with Jesus…
Pain is present and hurt is real.
Relationships are broken and communication is flawed.
Sadness exists and bitterness grows.
Abuse happens and neglect is here.
Families break and death occurs.
Truth is refused and fears are alive.
Doubt persists and divisions threaten.
Grief is everywhere and loss is commonplace.
Tears fall and anger flows.
Weariness abounds and sickness is near.
Friendships are hard and work exhausts.
Forgiveness is painful and humility is hard.
Marriage is effort and kids are exhausting.
Journeys are scary and waiting is long.
Yes. THIS is NOT heaven.
And when we lose sight of this, we lose sight of the hopeful Truth found in 2 Corinthians 4:17.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Or as the Message version translates it…
These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
Friends, as we wait for His glorious return and/or for the deliverance of our bodies, may we remember that though this imperfect Earth is not our home, heaven is coming! And my oh my, is it going to be an eternal glory of “big potatoes!”
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. 1 Peter 2:11 (MSG)