92 + 1 = Pricless

Yesterday, we had a grand celebration of my father's life. With pictures, songs, prayers and shared memories, we thanked God for his life and influence on us all. Today, we'll celebrate the 1st birthday of his newest great-granddaughter, Norah Grace Peter. And so, the cycle of life goes on. Sixty five years ago, Two people who fell in love, got married, and begin a cycle of life that resulted in a room full of people sharing the goodness of God, embodied in one of his creations. Today, that cycle continues, because in a few years, this beautiful 1 year old will fall in love, and the cycle will begin all over again.

My dad loved talking about heaven. While he was very "down to earth," he was also very "heavenly minded." As some of us were talking yesterday, we talked about the reunions that have already taken place. Undoubtedly, my dad has spent time with his mother, and step-father (who raised him), and his birth dad who passed away when my dad was two years old. He has probably been introduced to their parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts, and many other people who are there. Sometime during the past few days, I think my dad felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down into five little faces that he had never seen before. Two of these are grandchildren that were miscarried by my sister, Lori, and my wife, Kathy. A few years ago Kathy was directing our choir, singing a song about heaven. During a solo section, she closed her eyes and saw a quick vision of her grandmother walking toward her, hand-in-hand with a three or four year old red headed little girl. Kathy knew she was seeing the daughter we never had the chance to meet. The other three children tugging at Papa's sleeve are great-grandchildren, twins that our daughter Aimee lost a couple of years ago, and a baby that our son Jason and his wife, Jennie, miscarried. What fun they must have had at that first reunion.

The Bible tells us that we will know each other in Heaven.What wonderful reunions we will have. I know that Jesus will take great delight in watching us spend time together, and then all of us spending time in His presence, as we worship and thank Him for "preparing us a place." Later today, we'll celebrate a 1st birthday, we'll laugh and enjoy Norah destroy her cake, and we'll thank God again for my father. Sometime during the day I will probably shed some more tears, but it will be okay, because I'll also think about that little red head who's probably walking hand-in-hand with her Papa.