I’m not sure why I’m posting this now. Maybe because my friend just lost his wife to cancer. It reminded me of the time another friend of mine lost her 18 month old son. (I posted a poem about it below) . Please don’t think that I lack a positive and hopeful outlook for this year,  rather I want to make sure my life is based upon the right kind of hope. Hope that isn’t reliant on economic indicators or whether or not the housing market recovers. It’s not dependent upon the war ending or pandemics ceasing. Rather this kind of hope is more grounded.  Someday Jesus will come again. He will rescue those who are ready for his coming.

Are you ready?

Matthew’s Call
by Lynne Thompson

I heard my mommy calling me one springtime afternoon
But then I heard another call, some say I answered far too soon.
My Jesus was calling me, His voice so soft and sweet
It was the Jesus Mommy sings about, that I had a chance to meet.

It was just as Mommy told me, Jesus loves me, it is true
He took me in His loving arms and created me brand new.
Now I can smell how spring was meant to be, winter, summer, and fall
But, the sweet aroma of a prayer is the nicest scent of all.

From the tree of life I eat choice fruits, though I never hunger here
In fact, Dad would be glad to know I never shed a tear.
The colors here are not on earth; you need new eyes to see
When you get yours you’ll understand the way things ought to be.

I can hear all Mommy’s lullabies, for God keeps them in a jar
And I open it so often, that I know she’s not too far.
Yes, I heard my mommy calling, but I could not answer back
You see I’m with my Lord, and there’s nothing here I lack.

I promise to be here Mom and Dad when my Jesus calls to you
And then you’ll understand why my staying, was the best thing
I could do.