Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Questions

I have a few questions about heaven. Well, actually a lot of questions. The main one centers around prayer, and how to talk to God about Annie. You see, I still pray for Annie. I know, it's weird. But when I'm praying and go down the list of my kids and get to Annie, I'm not quite sure what's the right thing to say to God, and not praying for her seems somehow disrespectful or unkind. But what should I say? What should I ask for? It's not as if she needs anything, and she's not sick anymore...and most of the things I used to pray for her don't apply now.

Sometimes I wish there were more specifics in the Bible about the lines of communication between heaven and earth--I mean, besides between God and me. And I'm not just talking about what I might want to believe is true, but what is really true? (Check out this blog from Randy Alcorn about heaven, books about heaven, and why any near-death experience of heaven or beliefs about heaven need to be judged against the truth of God's Word.)

Getting back to my question, though--if God can hear me, (1 John 5:14), and Annie is with Him, (1 Thess. 4:17), if I ask Him to relay a message to her--will He? What is the conduit of communication between people on earth and people in heaven? Hebrews 12:1 says we're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses--those who have gone to heaven--but does that mean that they watch us all the time? How interested are they in what is going on here when they've got better things to focus on in heaven? Does Annie think about me as much as I think about her?

I really don't know all the answers to those questions. But if God shares messages to people in heaven from people on earth, I want Him to tell her that I miss her and I love her and I can't wait to see her again. And I'm so thankful that she is healed and can talk again.

I just can't wait until Jesus comes so I can hug her and tell her those things myself.

Jean

"Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Rev. 22:20

17 comments:

pam said...

dearest Jean, I don't think there is any such thing as an "incorrect" prayer. God hears every word, understands every thought, and knows your heart better than you do. He already knew your questions, your wonderings, your desires to still connect with Annie.
Did you read "Heaven"? Remember how, periodically, they were allowed to peer through the "portal" to see their loved ones on earth? True? Maybe, maybe not. But does it hurt to wish for that? No. Does it hurt to ask God to relay your love to Annie? No. Will/does God do that? Don't know, but I've asked before to speak to my dad and others in Heaven...and I just go on believing that He has. It's all about faith - believing in what we can't see and don't really understand.
Love you, my friend.

Rebecca said...

Jean,
I have no answers for you, but am always praying for you guys.

I really enjoy Randy Alcorn as an author. I have been working through 'If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil' for awhile now. It is really a great book.

I have to tell you, the grief I feel for loss of dreams is nothing compared to what you are going through. But, I appreciate so much that you share your questions and the journey with everyone. It has been giving me the strength to face the challenges. :)

prayers,
Rebecca

Jean said...

Pam--I need to FINISH reading "Heaven"...before I get there. Bill gave it to me for Christmas of '08. Then I got sidetracked with the book Rebecca's reading, "If God is Good," a book I highly recommend.

We need to do a book club. ;-)

Pam said...

dearest Jean, I don't think there is any such thing as an "incorrect" prayer. God hears every word, understands every thought, and knows your heart better than you do. He already knew your questions, your wonderings, your desires to still connect with Annie.
Did you read "Heaven"? Remember how, periodically, they were allowed to peer through the "portal" to see their loved ones on earth? True? Maybe, maybe not. But does it hurt to wish for that? No. Does it hurt to ask God to relay your love to Annie? No. Will/does God do that? Don't know, but I've asked before to speak to my dad and others in Heaven...and I just go on believing that He has. It's all about faith - believing in what we can't see and don't really understand.
Love you, my friend.

Gretchen said...

I need to read that book. Well said, Pam.
Jean...<3 ya.

Rebecca said...

Jean,
I have no answers for you, but am always praying for you guys.

I really enjoy Randy Alcorn as an author. I have been working through 'If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil' for awhile now. It is really a great book.

I have to tell you, the grief I feel for loss of dreams is nothing compared to what you are going through. But, I appreciate so much that you share your questions and the journey with everyone. It has been giving me the strength to face the challenges. :)

prayers,
Rebecca

Jean said...

I updated "Bill's Story" this evening, and somehow, all the comments from this post got deleted. I really don't know how that happened--but I reposted them. Anyway...here's mine:

Pam--I need to FINISH reading "Heaven"...before I get there. Bill gave it to me for Christmas of '08. Then I got sidetracked with the book Rebecca's reading, "If God is Good," a book I highly recommend.

We need to do a book club. ;-)

Susan said...

I'd join that book club!

Gretchen said...

Me, too!

uncle jeff said...

um, jean, YOU need to WRITE the book:) ...just sayin'

pam said...

Jean, turns out that peering thru the portal thing is in "Deadline", his novel, which I know I gave you but suppose you haven't had time to go thru yet. It's very good, too, even tho it's fiction, his pictures of what heaven might be like are amazing.
Book club? Count me in!

Marilyn said...

Jean gave me the book "If God is Good" for my plane trip back from Annie's Memorial. A few minutes into reading it and I knew I couldn't read on a plane that day! So....it sits on my coffee table. Guess I'm not a good candidate for a Book Club. But, I love reading everyone's comments here. I can only say that the older I get, and the more people I know who have gone on to heaven, the more I realize that THIS is not my home! Praise God!

Anonymous said...

Jean, all I can imagine after being a Christian is that God is loving, compassionate and much more capable of doing things beyond the few things mentioned in the Bible. I would go to him in Faith, knowing that he will hear your prayer and your words to Annie by and through your love of Christ - knowing there is a Heaven. I say just follow your heart, God will meet you there, He's that kind of God - he's most impacted by our truthfulness and our hearts. A parent's love for their child --- now you KNOW God gets that one! Just go to him and know that Your God hears you and your pain, he will surely let Annie know how loved she is still far down on Earth. I'm sure she knows all things. I don't think God is conspiracy minded or busy wanting to keep loved ones fully separated...I do think his compassionate love is enough for us to know that he will act upon it.

Lana said...

Jean, the last comment is from Lana at www.findinglana.blogspot.com

Sending my best...

Jean said...

Susan, Gretchen, Pam--should we start with "Heaven"?

Jeff--I'm working on it.

Marilyn--pick it up and start on the first chapter. :)

Lana--I like that--thanks for your perspective...it is a comfort, and I will keep sending her messages!

Susan said...

Let's do it!

Anonymous said...

Jean,
I just recently read "Heaven is Real". I think you would be comforted by some of the things said there about our loved ones.

So good to see you on Thursday. Hope we run into each other again soon!

Lots of Love
Cindy