A Look Back . . . and A Look Forward

A friend asked me tonight how I deal with the early death of a friend of mine. I was able to reflect more on her question after some quiet time at home, and I can now give a more thorough answer.

I met Jennifer in high school. She was kind, and funny, and serious. We soon lost track of each other in the midst of college applications and essays. We went our own ways, eager to begin our adult lives. Fast forward 17 years, and I am reacquainted with Jennifer. Now, she is married and has cancer. I am instantly overjoyed at knowing her again, and laughing with her again. I know she has cancer, she knows I have a rare and incurable neurological disease, and our letters and conversations abound with references to Heaven, wondering what it will be like, and trying to imagine it. For three years, I forget she has cancer. I pretty much forget I am sick. I'm just so happy and thankful to have my friend back in my life. Jennifer died last February, and I still don't really think of her as having had cancer. I mean, I know she did, but if you ask me about her, I'll just smile and tell you how very blessed I was to get to be her friend these last three years.

I bought a copy of Heaven by Randy Alcorn tonight, and I plan to read it this week while Mr. M and I are back east for his grandmother's funeral. The book is so exciting! To think of the New Heaven, where everyone will be able to do what they want and go where they want, without anything to stop them. There will be no danger in travel, no worries about germs or sickness, you can play football without fear of injury, I'll be able to go on vacation without checking to make sure I have enough of the medicine I need. AND, we'll all experience those joys together! This is what God has prepared for those who love Him. This is what Jesus is preparing for us in Heaven. I'll not only see and worship God, but I'll do that together with my mom, and Jennifer, and Abraham and Moses! It is a true marvel to think on all God has waiting for those who are saved. For the present, though, as I meditate on, and marvel at, the promise of Heaven, I do my best in this world, this "anti-Eden", as Jen so often called it. I live in the hope and expectation of the restoration of Eden.