As soon as I met Becky, I fell in love with her. She’s one of the finest people I have ever met. She’s one of the saints of our church who coordinates the acolytes and never falls asleep during my sermons.
Recently, Becky’s health took a dramatic turn in the wrong direction, and she almost died. By the grace of God, a surgery saved her life and after weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation, she’s finally home where Dr. Bradley is doing a wonderful job taking care of his wonderful wife.
Yesterday, Carl told me he had something funny to share about Becky. He dialed his cell phone and turned on the speaker so Becky could tell me what had happened. When I heard it, I laughed so hard, I almost fell out of my chair. This is what she shared with me. I pray it brings you as much joy as it brought me.
Becky was asleep and, in her dream, St. Peter was knocking on the door to Heaven as Bob Dylan’s, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” played in the background. Suddenly, Becky yelled out, “No, I can’t go yet. Pastor Tom hasn’t given me a free funeral yet.”
Needless to say, Becky’s still alive. This got me thinking.
Sooner or later, each of us is going to die. And while the world looks at death as something dreadful, we look at death as nothing more than a transition from this world into God’s. That’s the moment we are finally home and that’s what we celebrate at funerals.
But funerals are a surreal experience because we rejoice our loved one is home and yet, there is also sadness because the deceased will be missed. It is the paradox of experiencing happiness and sadness at the exact same moment. The good news is it’s only a short separation in the scheme of the universe.
The best description the Bible gives us of our true home is found in the book of Revelation. This is what we know about our future.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”(Revelation 21:3-5)
In our new home there will be no more death, grief, crying, or pain. God will wipe away our tears and make us new. That’s a good thing.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for life, death, and the new life it brings. I give you my thanks and praise, that through Jesus Christ, you have made it possible for me to go home. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
The reason the angels tell us not to be afraid is because God has already defeated the terror of death. For us, it’s nothing more than walking through the door of our eternal home.
The one thing I haven’t figured out is if we will hear Bob Dylan’s, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”
Just for the record, Becky expects to be back to church this week. I cannot wait to see her. I’m going to give her a free funeral, as long as she promises not to collect anytime soon.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 
When Becky called me to tell me about her dream; I reminded her we are all in the waiting room and I begged her not to raise her hand❤️Jane Ridge
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