I’m tens of thousands of feet in the air as I type.

For two weeks I’ve been carefully matching clothes to the days we will be away. I’ve planned every outfit leading up to the main event, a wedding.

I laid them all out on the bed in the guest room and finally last night I moved the stacks into the suitcase.

This morning as I went through my morning routine, I carefully packed every lotion, potion and brush needed to ensure I was presentable. Hubby and I checked and rechecked the gifts for family members, the notebook he would need for the wedding and other critical items.

As we boarded the plane and sent last minute texts to my cousin who would meet us at our gate. I noticed a Facebook message from a friend. I read it with a heavy heart. Her mom is in her last days.

On a plane between heaven and earth, I’m thinking of my sweet friend’s mama. She is on the brink of eternity, a journey like no other; in limbo, so close to heaven and yet still very much present on earth.

Waiting at her arrival gate? Jesus.

In many ways, she’s prepared for the journey for years. With intention she’s planned her life around knowing Him, about pointing others to Him and being ready to meet him when she finally arrives at heavens gate.

She’s ready; her body is weary of this place we inhabit that Lisa Terkeurst refers to as the space between two gardens. Her life, as I’ve seen it, has been filled with a “longing for the place where we will walk in the garden with him again. Where we will finally have peace and security and eyes that no longer leak tears…and hearts that are no longer broken.”

As I prayed for my friend, as I considered her mama’s arrival in heaven; I thought about my angst over a simple trip for a few days out of town. I realized that in spite of my careful and detailed packing, we forgot something important.

And yet, her mama will arrive at heavens gate with nothing in her hands.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.””

‭‭Job‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

She is ready to receive her reward and to greet her sweet family and friends who have arrived already. Her preparation had nothing to do with gathering stuff and everything to do with sharing the love of Jesus.

Thanks for all you’ve taught us, Memaw. I’m praying for you. When you arrive in heaven, please give Sandy a big hug for me.

With hope in Christ alone,

Lysa Terkeurst quote from “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way”, releasing November 13th.