By Joy Le Page Smith, MA BCC

I awakened the other day with a message that captured my full attention. I do not recall the wording, only the feeling as I had come out of a deep sleep. I knew that something astoundingly wonderful is soon to come and that there would be vast joy. It would be life-shaking in its scope—changing everything that is currently taking place.

My soul soared momentarily in wonderment. Then instead of staying in the awe of the message my brain wanted to figure out what this could be about. Silly to say but I thought “Maybe Gary has won the lottery.” A fleeting thought . . . but then I knew that was not “big enough.” So, I wondered if this message was about Jesus’ return to the earth . . . for right before He left the earth He told His followers that He would be returning. There is to be no doubt about that. His return foretold of the skies opening up and myriads of angels accompanying Him along with the saints, meaning those who have lived their lives for Christ. So surely that will be something euphoric!

Then, I thought maybe the message was about my going to heaven. Lately I’ve thought my time could come soon as I was hospitalized three times with serious stuff during the past six weeks. But, still I am here.

It certainly is a heart-lifting message that tells me when I leave this body and enter the glories of heaven—it will really be “something else.” It will be an astounding happenstance. I feel ready for it yet I am in the middle of writing a book . . . so hope God keeps this in mind for my earthly exit stage right.

I also want to be here for my dear husband, Gary, who is entering his third year of dealing with an aggressive cancer. If my choice can be seen as good in God’s scope of things, this will be given.

We are funny little creatures. We wrap ourselves up in our plans, our events and choices. But what about the most important of all in life: that is whether or not we learn how to truly “walk and talk with God,” readying ourselves for time when we will be with the Lord forever.

Of course there is a stance that comes first for each and all who are awarded heaven. That is stated clearly in the Gospel of John:

John 1:12-15 NKJV. ”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

How does that happen? By hearing the knock on one’s heart. These are the words of Jesus, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Once your heart’s door is open to Christ, His Spirit comes to dwell .Everything about life is now about knowing we are no longer alone. He is helping us, loving on us and drawing us more and more fully into readiness for being with Him forevermore.

Who would not want this comfort, peace, forgiveness—plus an eternal inheritance?

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in up to 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view her children’s book –FREE– as a video titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

Check home page at Healing-with-Joy.com for many articles that help to heal life’s pain.

Who has ever lived without this question arising from one’s consciousness from time to time? This little story titled, “Twins in the womb” by an anonymous author that prompts further thought.

One day a mother conceived twins.

One child was a girl; the other a boy.

Months passed, and they developed

As they grew they sang for joy:

“Isn’t it great to be alive!”

Together they explored their mother’s womb.

When they found their mother’s life cord,

They shouted for joy:

“How great is our mother’s love,

That she shares her life with us!”

Soon the twins began to change drastically.

Noticing the changes, the boy asked,

“What does this mean?”

“It means our life in the womb

Is coming to an end,” said the girl

“But I don’t want to leave the womb,”

I want to stay here forever.”

“We have no choice” said the girl

“But maybe there is life after birth.”

“How can there be?” asked the boy.

“We will shed our mother’s cord,

And how is life possible without it?

Besides, there’s evidence in the womb

that others were here before us,

and none of them ever came back

to tell us that there is life after birth.

No. this is the end.”

And, so the boy fell into despair, saying,

“If life in the womb ends in death,

What’s its purpose? What’s its meaning?

Maybe we don’t even have a mother.

Maybe we made her up just to feel good.”

“But we must have a mother,” said the girl.

“How else did we get here?

How else do we stay alive?”

And so the last days in the womb

Were filled with deep questioning and fear.

Finally, the moment of birth arrived.

When the twins opened their eyes,

They cried for joy!

What they saw exceeded their wildest dreams.

Within the womb, it was all about hanging in there, receiving all that was provided. The ambience was one of exclusive trust. There was nothing to do but trust! After birth the pace escalates exceedingly! Our minds developed and we grew in full stature, becoming complete little persons—even before seeing the light of day.

Coming into the world through the birthing process we take on various capacities of responsibility. The thing we can do rather easily (for the most part) is to procreate. And, how wonderful this gift is! It is astounding and wondrous to perpetuate life on earth! Having our own children brings great joy . . . along with plenty of continuous challenges.

Mostly, all of us look for ways to be resourceful, earning our way in life. But, like the twins in the womb, we don’t really know what’s up ahead. But God does. Just as life after birth exceeded the dreams of the twins, so life after death will super-exceed any dreams we have ever had!

”That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him,” (1 Corinthians 2:9, New Living Translation).

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Visit my homepage, which offers multiple “helps” for people who hurt: www.healinglifespain.com

Years ago while driving down the road in my vintage wine-colored Monte Carlo—favorite of all my cars—I realized the meaning of “unconditional love.” At the time, I had been married to my husband Gary for 30 years. He is not one who easily says, “I love you.” Yet, he is one who shows it throughout every avenue of our lives.

As a child, my parents’ love was never spoken—yet shown through the ways family needs were provided: the roof over head, food on the table, clothing and supplies for school. Yet, I did not hear, “I love you” from parents striving to make ends meet. Instead, I learned I had “better behave.” The importance of gaining my parent’s good pleasure became eminently important to me. So, doing all possible to gain it, was my childhood quest. The message, “Love will always be here for you,” was not perceived by me.  No. The message that stuck was all about chores, being smart—getting good grades–and behaving. “You had better not mess up!” was the major message.

I did grow into loving, more than fearing, my parents as an adult. But, as a kid, I held more fear of them than any other emotion. Maybe this is normal for a lot of people. Or, maybe most children are hugged daily and told, “I love you.” We only know our own experience.

Finding love of any kind in life’s journey is the highest of all quests, finding unconditional love is a pinnacle that I dare to say few truly reach.

Our early experiences within childhood, are brought into our marriages. In my first marriage at age 17, right out of high school, the honeymoon was short. It was however, a brief experience of being adored. Whoa. That was a first. Yet, within only a number of days, I knew the hand of authority was back. The old fear of not being enough or good enough was fully felt. This lasted eight years . . . eight years of figuring out that living in constant fear was no way to live. So, the only healthy choice was to leave. The soul ripping process of divorce became inevitable for the sake of safety and sanity.

Four years later, I started dating Gary, I knew he was different from any one I had ever met, yet my early programming was so linked to “pleasing” others that I had an unspoken fear of “when is the heavy hand going to come down on my back.” Yet, that never happened. Still, that inner angst was there… expecting the worst. So, that day after 30 years of marriage, while driving down the road, I realized something about God that was actually happening in my life: unconditional love! Who knew it existed—and is real?  Finding it in a human form through Gary, allowed me to comprehend the magnanimous love that He has for us. I remember the day so clearly, while driving, when the realization came: Gary only saw me as good. My flaws, well—flaws happen. He looked beyond those. Then, I remembered something my father said after having a dream.

Dad experienced a scar-filled childhood. He, too, feared his father throughout life and was sure “that guy” would not be in heaven. Although, during his later years my grandfather had changed and was in church every Sunday.

As my father was nearing death he shared a dream in which his mother and father  were walking arm-in-arm into a huge banquet room—in heaven. He knew it was heaven, but he couldn’t believe his Dad was there. Then, within the dream Dad heard these words, “I only see the good.” Voila! Here is love—unconditional love. And, this is the message God has for us.

And, this is the truest and greatest gift of Christmas. God looked past the sin, the brokenness of this world, and sent His Son to save us from ourselves. Left alone, there would be no eternity with God for any one of us. But, Jesus came to us, knowing He would shed His blood to cover the tab for our mis-steppings, and all the grossness that comes through the human race’s self-importance and self-adoration. Now, through Him, God sees “price paid” as He cherishes His children. It is the all-pervading, all accepting love of God that has provided this truth for God’s children: He only sees the good!

Here is an amazing truth from John 1:5, 12, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” Now, for verse 12 of John 1, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

What a difference it makes to grasp this truth. For, it is the truth of God’s unconditional love that empowers and impassions those He calls—and we know when that call comes!