Norma L. Brumbaugh

When God Takes Us Home

I’m glad this world is not all there is.

There, I said it. I mean it, too. I’m anticipating the next step when I step into glory and see my Savior face to face. “Oh, that will be, glory for me.” Heaven has so much to offer. I’ll get to see my mom, both sets of grandparents, my sister and other dear saints I’ve known over the years, that I miss now that they’ve passed on into eternity. I’ll also talk with personalities like C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, and G.K. Chesterton. That’ll be something else. And the martyrs who suffered for their faith, we will honor them for being faithful to His dear cause.

It’s exciting when I think about it. No more pain, sorrow or suffering, tears, and death. We will be filled with ever-lasting LIFE! Our hearts will be at peace, comforted, and rebooted to glorious living. I can’t imagine it, but I know it’s going to be better than any of my imaginings. “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!” It goes without saying that you must believe in Christ first. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

A lady in my church was having her knee operated on when something went terribly wrong. Next thing she knew, she was looking down at herself on the operating table. Then she saw her mother smiling and walking towards her on a field of green. Her mother looked young like when she was raising them. They were about to embrace when she returned to the here and now. Her knee never functioned well after the surgery.

Another friend has had multiple encounters with angels and Jesus. He’s been valiantly battling cancer without medical intervention or pain medication for well over a decade. A couple of weeks ago, he wrote about another experience where he cheated death. He came close to the edge of eternity. His stories fascinate me. Every week for years now, I wonder if his wife will post that he has left us for the next life. He’s learned that the simple things in life bring the most pleasure.

Some day we will meet Jesus our Lord and Savior there. I believe He will seem familiar to us, since He’s been walking with us on the path of life. It’s just that we will experience everything and Him in a much fuller way.” I can’t wait, but I have to wait. Maybe I’ll even see the child I miscarried in 1993. That would be joyous.

“I go to prepare a place for you.” That’s a promise Jesus made before He left His followers, “that where I am, there you may be also,” (John 14:2,3). John 14 is a passage loaded with encouraging words that speak life to us every time we read them. This and John 10 offer truth worth meditating on for several days. Truly, He was preparing His disciples for His departure and their future. God’s Word is good that way.

Be happy. I was longing for Jesus and heaven today. It was my happy thought for the day.

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I wish you well on your spiritual journey.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Matthew 21:22

God Answers Prayer

My experiences with prayer are many and diverse, but all my prayers have something in common. The prayers flow from my heart to my Heavenly Father. Some prayers are brief sentences, others are long and heart-wrenching. Lately, I’ve spent much time praying for my grown children, my dad, my friends, our nation and world’s leaders, and asking Him to protect, guide and help them according to their needs, and His will.

God Loves Us

God loves us. God helps us. God responds to our prayers. He comforts us. God takes an interest in our beings. Nothing is beneath or beyond His love. One thing I have learned over the years is that no prayer is wasted. God is not deaf! But He does wait for the right time to deliver. And the answer usually looks different than expected. Some prayers are simply expressions of faith.

God Understands

I’ve had a heavy heart lately. My earthly father is struggling and his body is failing. Life becomes harder with age. Even small tasks take greater effort. It is hard to watch this decline. I’m a little more emotional. My happiness-factor has lessened. My dad asks about his parents, his wife, his sister and her husband, his mother- and father-in-law. He forgets that they have passed on. He longs to see them. Heaven will be a joyous reunion for him.

We Carry Burdens

My prayers are simple these days. I haven’t the energy for long, complicated prayers. I sense God’s pleasure and compassion when I share my heart with Him. He carries my burdens and lifts my spirit. I’m so glad for this. Frankly, I don’t know what I’d do without Him. God be praised. He’s a hands-on God.

God Is Able

I pray for the world more than I used to. I’m not ready to give up on it. There is more work to be done. I ask God for Him to soften souls, to redeem lives, to heal and fortify, to change and make holy. At times I feel the weight of the world. Sometimes these prayers require heavy-lifting. But God is able and willing to receive them.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:5-6

. . .

Father God, You are so close that I sense Your living presence. Thank you for hearing my prayers and enfolding me in Your love. I treasure Your goodness, faithfulness, and graciousness. You give me strength when I am weak. You are so good to me. Be with my friends who read this. I love you. Amen.

Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.