On Sunday Joel and I were asked to share a short testimony of how living in hope has changed our perspective since loosing Cora. We thought of so many examples we could share because hope has changed our perspective on everything. But we thought of one specific example of hopes perspective in our lives that I wanted to share with you today too…
Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever.
When we think about Cora’s death and how she won’t physically be a part of our family here on earth, that time without her seems like an eternity. We think of all the milestones that she won’t be here for—birthdays, the first day of kindergarten, graduations, and getting married. She will never be a part of our family nights or family vacations or family pictures. For us, that seems like a LONG time of living without her. That is so hard. We have been reading through a book by Nancy Guthrie entitled The One Year Book of Hope and we recently read something in that book that has helped shift our perspective from the present to the eternal. We personalized it and you could personalize it to your life too. It said,
“Putting the years of life without Cora in perspective of eternity with her makes the time of waiting seem bearable and even brief…So while we wait, we nurture an eternal perspective, a view in which our struggles look small and brief in comparison to the vast joys and eternal satisfaction of forever-life with God.”
When we see our time without Cora in light of eternity it changes everything. We can rejoice because we do get to spend eternity with her. And besides seeing Cora, it is hard to even imagine being in the presence of Jesus and the immense joy and restoration that will bring. Loosing Cora has given us a new longing for heaven that is so sweet.
Not only does this eternal perspective change how we view time, but it also changes how we live now. Living in light of eternity gives us a new sense of urgency; an urgency to invest in the living and an urgency to boldly share with the people around us so that they too might make a decision for eternity.
As we thought about hopes perspective in our lives we were reminded of this verse:
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
James 4:14
I challenge us to evaluate how we are living today. Are we stuck in our troubles? Or are we living in light of eternity—allowing the hope that we have to shape our perspectives?
Krystal - simply…beautiful…thanks for sharing!
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Lauren - This was just beautiful and a wonderful challenge!!
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Tina - Great post. Thanks for sharing!!!
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Beckypdj - Wonderful post full of truth. Sometimes when I am thinking about my son, instead of focusing on what he isn’t doing on earth, I try thinking about what he IS doing in Heaven. I know my mind can’t comprehend it, but it helps to think about Peyton in this way.
I love seeing Cora’s picture in your header 🙂
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Rachael - Jess, like you I SO LONG to be with my son. Heaven has become so real. It now is something we look forward to and just like you said, gives us an urgency to live for Him. Thank you for the reminder. My heart hurts for you as I know yours does mine.
Rachael
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**** - Thank you for being so inspirational, and for sharing your faith so eloquently!
Rachel
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Taking Heart - So true…
Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 4:16-17
I blogged today about choosing to come out of a time in the wilderness… to stop sulking and decide to see the Light. I’ve been sulking in a cave for a while now… (you can call me Eli)… but choosing joy amidst hardship… to choose to face what is overwhelming and chaotic… its hard, yet produces glory.
… because with an eternal perspective… all that is chaotic and overwhelming or devastating… is small and temporary. We need to make the most of our memories and moments while here… in joyful and hopeful anticipation that eternity will come quickly.
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Robin - I am currently listening/studying “Heaven” on some podcasts I downloaded, and your post came at the perfect time. The pastor started the sermon out with “we all need to live with more excitement for Heaven, and less desire to stay on earth.” I haven’t lost a child, so I cannot even imagine what that is like for you, but my heart goes out to you and your family and I am so in awe of your hope for Heaven and eternity. To be able to learn about that hope from someone who has gone through so much is a blessing for me. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Tricia - Thank you for this post, Jess.
Such a beautiful perspective.
Happy belated Anniversary to you and Joel as well.
With love and prayers,
XO*Tricia
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Anonymous - Profound truth and understanding can come when we realize the eternal nature of men, women, and children. You are so strong and faithful. I believe Heaven is not so far away, especially when we love and are loved. Your precious Cora is still herself and she loves you even more. The love never ends or goes away. My prayers are with you here in SLC Utah.
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Sarah Johnson - Great post. Your gift with words never ceases to amaze me. Wonderful perspective.
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Anonymous - this was beautiful…thank you…
i’ve lost two sons and i still struggle with the day to day…and while i do have the hope of spending eternity with them and our Lord, i still struggle…
so how do you incorporate this into your real life, into the day to day stresses of the world? i would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this….
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Allen and Debby Graber - Thank you, Jess. I thought what you said Sunday evening (what your wrote on this post) went perfectly with what Brian spoke about Sunday morning! Incredible sermon, wasn’t it??!! A longing for heaven! http://gcc-online.org/files/Five%20Words/5.Transformed.Romans%208.18-30%20-%20Brian%20Siriwardena%208.1.10.mp3
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Anonymous - I thought of you recently when I began reading Mary Beth Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman’s wife) new book called Choosing to See. You might be blessed by reading it.
Thank you for your inspirational posts.
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Ben and Andria - I’ve been following your blog for a long time now (I hope that’s ok:)) and just recently my little brother/best friend passed away suddenly. I love this post about having an eternal perspective because that’s what has helped me get through this.
And if it’s ok I’d like to help answer the question above about how to incorporate this into your life. It takes work on your part. Praying, searching the scriptures and having great faith in the Lord. Some days will be harder than others and on those days just know that the Lord will lend you and extra hand. You are NEVER alone.
Thanks for the post, it was just beautiful.
SLC, UT
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Leslie - Thank you. Your comments are hitting me where I live today.
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Bethany - Thank you for giving me a little perspective today, I certainly needed it. After loosing my son Leyton a year ago (he died at 39 weeks in utero for reasons we will never know), I now yearn more for Heaven and realize more that this earth is not our home. Thanks again for the encouraging words and for sharing your heart with the blogging world.
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Stef - LOVED this Jess. I needed this today. God bless you.
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sarah - thank you for sharing, i lost my 3 month old nephew two months ago yesterday and the words i just read were a true blessing. many thoughts ive had myself. its nice to know that we do have hope in the Lord and that we are not alone in our struggles. thank you.
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Emily - BEYOND inspiring! thanks so much for sharing this with me (I know you shared it with many others but I feel like today you were speaking to me as I needed to hear this and be reminded to focus on our heavenly home not on this world)!!! I also sent this post along to my close friend whose son left this earth to go home to Jesus at only 2 months old, I know she finds comfort in reading your blog as well!
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Shalyn - Loved this post <3
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Anonymous - It’s LOSING. Not loosing.
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Heather - Great perspective! Thanks for sharing!
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nichole - how encouraging! your post will minister to many and is a fresh reminder of the love of our Savior and how awesome heaven will be!
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Marla Taviano - Amen. Thank you.
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My Perspective - I love your blog, would love your insight, come visit my blog.
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Sue - This post gave me goosebumps. It’s so true and you always have such a great way of putting things in perspective for me.
Sometimes, life feels like forever, but, like you said, it’s really just an instant against an eternity of love together.
Sue X
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The Schilling's from Cimarron - JEss,
ahhhh this blog is soooo very sweet! You and Joel continue to teach us so much even from a distance. Your courage and faith have made me realize so much! You ALWAYS put things back in perspective for ME! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Still missing you and praying!
School is just around the corner, so of course I have been getting ready for that…. The kids are good. Kali will be a Freshman! WOW…. and is driving…. Blake is still ALL BOY…. and Jaylee is growing so fast….. She is teaching us lots about life and always keeps us smiling!
Tell your family HELLO! and of course squeeze LEvi’s chunkyyyyyy cheeks and top it of with a big kiss!
love to you all!
AMIE
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Marie - Thanks for sharing this.
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Courtney - Thanks for sharing this. I’m a friend of Renee Hueser and Andi Sand and I just lost my dad three weeks ago, very unexpectedly. I just sent this post to my sisters and mom and it was so encouraging to me. Thank you for your heart and love for the Lord!
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trish - thanks for this. I needed it!
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L ~ S - I really was inspired by this post, but I guess I forgot to comment…I have been thinking alot about it. I also see the principle that it is not only death, but other trials in life…if we think of eternity, somehow that helps us push through!
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