Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live…   John 11:25

I planted these ‘forget-me-not’ flowers in memory of a young woman who moved from this earth and into the heavenly realm. Nine months ago today.

When we read about believers in the Bible who suffered various trials, we are encouraged by their strength and endurance. Likewise, the stories of Danielle’s faith and perseverance as she struggled through 3 years of battling a serious illness are an example to me of God’s faithfulness, that He gives us strength when we need it. After all that she went through…the pain and weakness and treatments and surgeries, the sadness of thinking about her children growing up without her…after all this, for her to be able to say that she would go through it all again if only it would bring a loved one to know the same Lord that she had come to know and love…well, I am somewhat amazed. Her example gives me confidence that, though I am weak, I can rely on God’s promise to always be with me and give me strength.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.  8 We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.  17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Christians believe that when we leave this world, we will enter an amazing new place, the likes of which we cannot even comprehend!

1 Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

What will it be like?

We really cannot imagine what ‘God has prepared for those who love Him’. But, the most amazing thing will be just being in His presence, as the song by MercyMe says…

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk, by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When you face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by You glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine…

I miss people I love who are no longer here. But, I am pretty sure they are having an amazing experience. And one day, there will be a new Heaven and a new earth.

13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.     – 2 Peter 3:13”

If you’d like to read more about heaven, here is a booklet (approximately 60 pages) by Randy Alcorn. You can probably pick one up from Amazon for around $2…or there is also a larger hardcover version:

You might say that heaven will be filled with gardeners. Those who planted and watered and tended the seeds. And God is the Master Gardener.

I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

                                                                        – 1 Corinthians 3:6

1.”I am the true vine, and My Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more……5.Yes, I am the Vine and you are the branches…”

– John 15: 1, 5

“Mary Magdalene turned around and saw Jesus standing there,
but she did not know it was Jesus…supposing him to be the gardener.”
                                                                               – John 20:14,15

I am pretty sure that Danielle, the young Christian woman who left here nine months ago, was a witness of her faith in Jesus to quite a few of the people she came into contact with.

On her search for healing, she was an example to others. Her journey through airports and clinics and hospitals brought her into contact with travelers, workers, nurses and other patients, as well as friends and family. I would guess she planted or watered quite a few seeds along the way. Who knows how many were touched by her life and witness? Even some who might have seemed unaffected or dismissive at the time, may have had a seed planted in their hearts…a seed that would later grow and bloom.

The very man who has argued you down will sometimes be found, years later, to have been influenced by what you said.   – C.S. Lewis

            They say you can’t take anything with you…..except other souls.

Memory’s Garden