First Birthday(?) in Heaven


It's my mom's first birthday in Heaven....I think. Perhaps a more realistic truth is that this is her first time ever not having a birthday. After all, why celebrate the passing of another year in the place where there are no years? She is not bound by time -- she's tasting eternity in all its fullness, and it is a glorious celebration that will never end! 

I can't get over this! In years past, we would celebrate Mom by groggily rolling out of bed (having stayed up too late the night before), rushing over to Nana and Papaw's, eating deli sandwiches together, awkwardly singing an off-tune Happy Birthday, and then sheepishly handing her some lame present that didn't make the cut on Christmas morning. 

Every single second she's experiencing now is sweeter than our best efforts at celebrating her. There's no groggy oversleeping -- she's entered perfect rest. There's no rushing through a pitch-in meal -- abundant feasting is forever hers at the table of our King! No awkward singing -- only the harmonious worship of every tribe, tongue, and nation. And no back-burner presents -- only the presence of Her perfect Savior who died to give her eternal life!

It's better than anything I can imagine, and it's all because of Jesus. This year, we'll sing Happy Birthday to remember our sweet Mama. But we'll also sing Hallelujah for the Cross. Because of the cross, my mom is having the best moment of her life, every single second. Because of the cross, she is washed white as snow, free from suffering, and forever home. Because of the cross, we can rest assured that Mom is living more fully and more freely than ever before. She's not missing out on a thing -- she has received the fullness of the greatest gift ever given: unending life with Christ!

We miss everything about her: her hugs, texts, smile, prayers, laughter, discernment, wit, and the way she lit up a room. She made every moment memorable with her singing, dancing, snuggles, competitiveness, intentionality, and brilliant sarcasm. But as we grieve and remember her today, we can rejoice that every moment in eternity is far more glorious than even the best birthday party we could throw together. So happy first non-birthday in Heaven to the best woman I have ever known! We're another day closer to hugging you in Heaven!! <3 

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