From Sunday to Sunday: Sharpies to Heaven

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

¹⁶ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are^a]">[a] being renewed every day. ¹⁷ For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! ¹⁸ So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

I am writing today out of reflection, a heavy heart, and new perspective. Oh how life flips upside down from one Sunday to the next! This afternoon I received a phone call from a friend to let me know her mom had passed. This was not something she was prepared for or even thought would ever be reality this week. As I was crying with her and trying my best to comfort her I was at a loss for words. All that came to mind was offer my prayers and time. But nothing seemed to do justice. I felt hopeless and useless at the moment.
As I was driving home and reflecting on her journey I felt like things in my life were coming back into perspective. I couldn't imagine my life being flipped upside down in less than a week. I remembered last Sunday. Last Sunday during Church I was getting texts and phone calls about how her dryer was ruined because she put a sharpie through!
I laughed at her. teased her. I even offered advice.
Last Sunday this was the crisis of the week!
And now this Sunday her world has been shattered. Sharpie marks in the dryer are miniscual today. The sharpie crisis doesn't even matter because today her life changed.
And today, my life has been changed. I was recalling my "sharpie moments" of the week---and I have plenty! :) I always know in my head that I shouldn't focus on the small things of life but to focus on people. But today that head knowledge became reality to change some areas of my life.
Today my perspective is being renewed. What really matters today?
People. Eternity. Love.
As I mourn with my friend, I am learning from this moment. To re-evaluate life once again. To come back to the basics. To love Jesus more and more. To love others with reckless abandon. And to express my love to others openly.
I hold on to this. Life does end on here. Oh how I look forward to Heaven.
Eternity with no death. no pain. no tears.
Eternity with our sweet Jesus.

Thank Jesus, For because of you, and you alone I live.
Thank you for being our comfort, peace, and joy amidst tragedy.


Even with a sad heart I rejoice in Jesus. Because of Him I have hope.

Psalm 23:4
⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, ^a]">[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.