Imagine

By Anna Sklar
"I love you."
"You are such a good mother."
"I'm so happy to be married to you."
 
These are my husband’s words. He's been saying them to me over and over the almost 13 years we've been together. My heart used to block them, believing these words couldn't be true about me.

One day as my husband spoke affirming words to me, my heart began to turn away from the good being offered. In that moment, I heard Him ask: “Why do you turn away from My words? I have put them in Joshua's mouth so he will speak them to you . . . I cannot hold you with human arms or speak to you with a human voice, but I have given you someone who can. Hear his words, for they are My words. Open your ears to all My words. I've given them to many of my people to speak into your life. Believe them. . Anna, these words are true, that is how I see you. Live in that truth.”
 

So I try, when my Joshua affirms me, when others speak words of encouragement and love, I try to really hear them and live in them and thank God for the gift of them. Thank Him for the words from beyond. Imagine a place where you only hear those kinds of words, an everlasting whisper in our ears of goodness and love and beauty . . .  this is just a glimpse.
 

My older son Josiah has this laughter that, on occasion, bursts forth seemingly out of nowhere. It usually happens at the dinner table, when we're all gathered together and telling stories of our days. The days when we're all getting along and peace reigns and we're not rushing off this way or that. It starts with a giggle. We all join in. Then it spreads in Josiah, deep down into his being, until every cell must be full with it - this all-consuming laughter. He usually ends up on the floor, rolling through the moment, unable to sit on his chair or contain the joy for one more second. Pretty soon we're all laughing. I think back to my childhood and remember laughing this way with my sister. More gifts from beyond. Imagine a place where there is no more sadness . . .  this is just a glimpse.  

My younger son Elijah has blue eyes that sparkle even when no light from this world shines on them. I know the light that makes his eyes sparkle comes from another place, another world beyond this one. There's heaven-light in Elijah's eyes and once in a while I get completely lost in them. That particular shade of blue must be made with a pinch of God's love, a sprinkle of God's grace and a dash of God's mercy.  And I have a dear friend whose green eyes are lit with that same sparkle - so beautiful. Imagine a place where the colours of the rainbow pale in comparison to the heaven-light in our eyes . . . this is just a glimpse.  

I pause and savour the truly special moments in my life; moments when life feels utterly rich and right, when all I can feel is all that is good. Whether with family, friends or alone; whether at home, at the lake or in church - every scene and moment is different. Imagine a place where there is no lack, in anyone or in anything - we live in perfect harmony, all the time . . .  this is just a glimpse.
 

My glimpses keep me going on the hard days and fill me to overflowing on the good days. They remind me of what is coming in the life eternal. This is God's promise to me, of a life with Him, if I only believe. All this is just a glimpse. Imagine.

Anna Sklar worships at All Nations Church, Sudbury with her sons and husband Joshua. Joshua is All Nations' associate pastor.