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November 16, 2008 These cliffs in the Hellgate drainage show how the seeds of new life can be found even in the in-between places all around us. These shrubs grew from tiny seeds in soil captured by the rocks. |
The In Between Place
It has been 17 years since my son Lucas died.
Today I helped my mom go from Surgeon to Anesthesiologist to fill out papers for her surgery tomorrow. We have been staying in a small hotel near the hospital. The hospital is definitely an “In-between Place” Nothing seems to happen here. People are waiting, recovering, or resting. There is a surreal feel to the rooms, and hallways, a hushed non-busyness.
I am thinking of my son Lucas, who died at age 13. His body is waiting in his grave, another in-between place, for that Glorious Day when Jesus will call the dead to life.
Jesus Himself knew that “In-between” place called the grave. John 19 reports that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body to a garden tomb and in verse 42 it states, “because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and since the tomb was nearby they laid Jesus there.” But there is a difference to this “In Between” place for in Jesus’ tomb something DID happen. On the morning of the third day Jesus’ body was REVIVED. God the Father did not allow His Son’s body to see corruption (decay).
Now there is hope for all those who love Jesus. Our souls and spirits will re-unite with our bodies in a Glorious moment. Words cannot describe the Wonder of that day.
The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the arch-angel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
My mother’s surgery went well. She left the hospital a few days later and recovered in 6 weeks. Her time in the Hospital, “In-Between Place,” faded quickly from her memory and she got on with the business of life.
Dear Jesus, Thank you for saving all who believe in you and for proving your successful sacrifice for us by rising from the grave. No permanent in-between places for us. We are yours Forever.
Love Diane
