Yesterday would have marked Bonnie's 61st birthday on this earth. Instead it marked the first birthday she spent in Heaven.
Somehow that realization made yesterday a little less difficult. Instead of celebrating her birthday with gifts, or a party I celebrated it in my heart, knowing she was happy and healthy and loving her place in Heaven.
What a wonderful gift she received this year. Her first birthday spent with Jesus. She spent her day in a place where the value of earthly presents diminishes to worthlessness. Just being in the presence of Christ is so valuable that the streets are paved with gold.
Doesn't that tell us something about Heaven? One of our most valued possessions on this earth is so worthless in heaven that it is used to pave streets. What a message. The value of being in His presence is so great that we would use gold to walk on rather than wear.
To imagine Bonnie in that place, enjoying the victory she achieved, took away the sting of the first birthday here without her. That is what faith does for us.
As October 30 approaches, it brings with it the "last first". That will mark the first anniversary of Bonnie's step into heaven. Those of us who loved her will obviously miss her and remember that day as one of loss for us, but we will also celebrate it in our hearts as a day she achieved the ultimate and eternal victory. While our time with her on this earth was shortened, her life with Jesus was given extra time....eternity began early for her.
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