Days like today, when the sun is shrouded by a heavy haze, when the air is filled with smoke from other parts of the world, when no amount of washing will eliminate the dirt and grunge that fuzzes up our vision, I am beginning to wrap my mind around the reality of the challenges to face today. This week is another gift from God. Each day is a bonus. Life, as we once lived it, is entering another chapter. I’m confident that God is in control, but there are still moments when I wonder – when my faith is being tested – when I hope that I won’t lose it – when tears fall faster than I can control them – when thoughts about a new future haunt me. I know that God has this, but there are times when I wish He’d let me in on His plan.

As I look out my window today, I see an accumulation of muck from road construction, polluted air, thirsty plants that need tending. I think about my need to take care of those windows, but I know it is a thankless job and will have to be repeated in a week or so. We are living in kind of a shell of our environment. As we grow older the shell shrinks. We can only go so far. Our life goals have been achieved – well maybe not all of them. Our bodies have limitations. Our minds work slower. Everything is in slow motion. Still, beyond those windows, is a beautiful world, created by an amazing God. On the other side of the grime is a place to continue living. We will go on. We will run in fields of emerald grass. Our bodies will be revived and restored and we will inherit the paradise that God originally planned for us. The windows have been thoroughly cleaned. There is no more sin. Jesus washed it all away.

“THROUGH MY WINDOW,” By Kathy Boecher

A journey through a crystal pane of light and glorious sun,

Separated by a wall that’s conceived within my mind,

A longing leads my heart into a place where I can run,

A place to hide, to bear my soul, a place I’ll never find.

I wander through this wilderness, surrounded by my fears,

I close the world outside my door and let no others in,

The days go by and swiftly ebb, though dreams may dry my tears,

I will not capture peace until the Lord comes back again.

In His magnificent glory, He’ll cut right through the clouds,

His angels will encircle Him, the saints are at His side,

They sing their loud alleluias and shout His name out loud,

My fears will melt, my heart will soar, with Him I’ll now abide.