We wash dishes by hand at our house. We are a big family, so it’s a bit of work, but after years of loading and unloading dishwashers only to find dirty dishes inside, it’s worth it for us. I have three sink basins; in the first I rinse, the second is filled with hot soapy water for washing, and the third has a special hot faucet for rinsing again. Above the sink, mounted to the wall, are four big drying racks. Everything smells like lemon and optimism. Once my dishes are shiny and dripping on the metal racks, a child has usually brought in one last bowl and spoon. After that, someone finds a stray coffee cup, and before my dishes have dried, the first sink is full again with ladles, milk glasses, and unnecessary straws.
Our work is never done on this side of heaven. Life is better when I don’t expect a full stop from things that do not stop. The dishes will never be done. The garden does not stay weeded. The beds need to be made every morning. It’s the same regardless of your station in life, the color of your skin, or the size of your bank account. Wealth does not bring happiness. Look at King Solomon in Ecclesiastes, who had limitless wealth, massive power, hundreds of women, and access to any imaginable pleasure the world had to offer. And yet his conclusion, after wearing out every fleshly gratification he could think of, was that it’s all vanity, all just wind and nothing. “All things are wearisome, more than anyone can say” (Ecclesiastes 1:8). And if that guy, with all his resources, realized that our hope is not found under the sun, do you think that you’re going to discover something different?
Now, don’t misunderstand me, the fresh glory of a sunrise over mountains and the squishy skin of a new baby and the arms of my husband all hold a true and inexpressible joy for me. The beauty of the world and its people is for our joy. But none of it will satisfy our deepest longings. None of it will make us complete. In the world, no matter how much we love the smell of lemon, there will always be dishes to wash, and our favorite ones will continue to break, and our dogs will die, and our houses will burn, and we will bury everyone we love until they bury us.
But there is a land where there is no death, no sickness, no depravity, and no shame. And, boy, I hope we will see our pets, because there’s a good girl I sure wish I could see again. We will lay down our tools and run home, into the arms of our Father. He has promised us this: “Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
One day, in the new heaven and new earth, God will dwell with His people as He did in the beginning. We were created for life in our holy God’s presence. Our sin keeps us from coming close to Him. But He comes to us and brings us home. There we find our settled rest, not like guests or strangers, but like a child who is truly home (Psalm 23).
Can I just say- I can’t wait to see the Tree of Life! 12 kinds of fruit? Wow!
I mean, after experiencing being in the very presence of the Almighty, then to see what the perfection in Creation will be, it’s very exciting to me as a gardener. Spring has finally set-in here in my neck of the woods. I’m always surprised at how seeing new things sprout and bloom helps my winter-weary heart. How much more will my sin-weary heart be helped and healed when I reach my heavenly destination? (Plus I have a few furry ‘good girls’ that I hope are there, too.)
Such wonderful things to think about today as I work. Thank you for your prayers for my friends, too. You all are the best!!
Today’s reading gave me so much hope! So excited!!
There are days when I just want to go to heaven now. And there are days when I don’t want to go to heaven yet. I am so thankful that no matter what we have going on in this world, there will be a time when we won’t remember the bad stuff, we won’t feel the pain. I do look forward with joy to the day I finally get to meet Jesus face to face, and enter that forever peaceful environment. But I want to live today too. I want joy and peace now, on this earth, today. I don’t want to wait for all the good in some distant time. I am finally learning that there is joy and peace in this life on earth – when I fully trust in God’s goodness, when I obey His precepts, when I live in a manner that pleases God, when I stop thinking the way the world thinks, and let God’s word implant a new way of thinking, when I value the things of heaven more than the things of earth. I do long for the day when my labor will stop, and I can truly enjoy the new heaven and new earth. But while I’m still here, I want to enjoy the goodness of God in the things He’s given me to enjoy.
Revelations 22:1-5 Sums it all up. How glorious it will be!
After reading Isaiah 65 I thought- I want the new creation now, then I remembered it is already happening now! Father God, soften our hearts, make us new each day! Help me to live each day with You at the center! I believe You satisfy my soul and I just want my sisters here and everyone I meet to know the love of your son Jesus!! Happy Friday She’s! Sending ☮️❤️ to you all!!
In the devotional, I love the picture of laying down our tools and running home into the arms of our Father! What a beautiful picture of Heaven!
Thanks for sharing the old song “What a day that will be!” I usually wake with a song in my heart for the day. This will be the one! What a day! I love my cb life here but there is an increasing longing for more than this world can give! Heaven!
True Paradise
♥️ Ah, Rebecca, you always bring light and hope♥️