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Wait for it. But the “it” is not what you think.

As widows, we are led to believe that we must “wait” to be reunited with our husbands in heaven. We feel as they have been taken from us, and we have been left all alone to wait for years, possibly decades, for that great reunion. It makes sense. It is a logical progression of how we see time. But it is not the full picture.

Here is what I know to be true from scripture:

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
Ephesians 2:19 –21 ESV

Throughout scripture we are told we are one body, with Christ as the head. Never does it separate those who are in heaven from those who are on Earth. We are one. Not as husband and wife, but as something so much more…we are one as the body of Christ.

Our minds struggle to grasp this truth. It is contrary to the way we tend to view death. But it also helps me understand a few other things, like why I feel a closer sense of connection to my husband when I am worshipping God.

Recently I was able to go on a three-week trip to Africa. As the departure date grew closer, my fears began to grow. I dreaded taking the trip without my husband. I finally decided to go – because of you. I wanted to be able to encourage you that you can do things without your husbands. I wanted you to not feel limited in this “new normal.” When I came back from my trip, I eagerly shared with many how great it was to overcome my fears and to see the animals.

What I didn’t share was how intensely I felt my husband’s presence. One minute, I would be worshipping God our creator and in the next moment I’d be visualizing my husband beside me commenting on what we were seeing together. It’s been six years since my husband went to heaven so it puzzled me to have such intense feelings of connection. I tried to rationalize it by writing it off to just strong memories. But it really didn’t feel like memories. It felt like something happening in the present.

Wait for it…

This week singing in church, I again felt this intense sense of my husband’s presence. Not because of the words of the song or the thoughts I was having; it was just a sense that my husband was with me, worshipping also. I was very puzzled about what triggered those feelings. Then in the communion prayer, I heard the words “we are sharing communion with the church past, present and future.” His words sank in – we are actively sharing communion with the church of ALL time.

Wait for it…

The temptation to rationalize or dismiss thoughts that don’t fit our traditional viewpoints is very strong. But God makes Himself known to us. We just need to be open to receive His truth. We need to have a child-like faith. While I was worshipping in service, my four year old grandson was asked in Sunday school what he was grateful for. His reply, “My grandpa, Dave– I never got to meet him but I’m thankful for him.” It doesn’t make sense that this is what was on my young grandson’s mind, that day, at that time. We hadn’t even spoken of Dave recently. I know it was further confirmation of God’s presence and the presence of His church, past, present and future – including the presence of our loved ones in the here and now.

The it…

We are one body, living and functioning, with Christ as the head. We are a part, our husbands are a part, the church of the past is a part, the church of the present is a part, the church of the future is a part. Meditate on this truth and let it permeate your heart. It is amazing.