Mother told us at Thanksgiving, ’93 that she was sick; at Christmas she said she had cancer. She died in the Spring ’94. This apparently is the last painting she worked on. Did she begin her last winter and find it too depressing to continue? Did she physically become unable to sit in the chair and hold the brush? Did she try to bargain with the Lord? “Please, Lord, let me finish my picture.”
I find myself asking for more time to finish my projects. I’m certainly old enough to have come to the end of this physical life. But my projects are not finished! In times past I could get a lot more excited about “When We All Get to Heaven” and “This Might Be The Dawning of the Day” but as time draws near, I’m wanting more than ever to wake up in the morning and work on projects.
I need to move more stuff to the garage for a “Family Garage Give-Away Day” which will be here this Saturday. I’m thinking I need more time. I’ve got to buy groceries. I promised brisket, potato salad, baked beans, and rolls. I’ve got to cancel or reschedule an appointment to give me time to do that. “Oh, Child, I Hear Him Say, you are so wrapped up in gotta-dos.”
Am I making idols out of plastic flowers, brisket, and family albums? No, I’m not because when I sit still and concentrate on Him, the stirring in my heart is, “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.”
My Pastor started a series of sermons on Heaven yesterday. I need to have a renewed vision of what God has promised “When We All Get to Heaven.”
Sweet aroma 
To me, your mother’s painting looks finished. There is hope within the image. Hope for new life springing forth from the old and a new start for projects yet to be done elsewhere. I love this post and as you say, I’m getting closer to the end as well, but often feel like I wanna hang around for a while yet. I know when I get there, I may look back and wonder why I ever hung so tightly to this life.
That is certainly true. Better is yet to come!
The moment we enter Heaven, the best has begun!
I agree that the painting is marvelous.
There are several projects on which I am working:
I have several songs to put together with some student musicians so I can put them on YouTube;
Serve on my HOA board to help the other six truly learn servant-leadership;
There are a handful of repairs to our house that should be accomplished before too long;
Starting a garden plot this fall in which to plant veggies for next year;
CLEAN OUT my basement (been promising THAT one for almost 10 years! 🙄);
Learn Cantonese with its nine vocal tones (like that’s ever going to happen!! 😁).
But seriously, and I do mean very seriously, if Father was to call me Home today, I would be more than happy to head there.
For to me it has become more and more true in the last decade, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is GAIN!” So like my Dad said in the last two weeks of his journey on earth, “Though I long to see His face, He may have reasons I cannot see to keep me here in this time and place to learn to serve Him more faithfully; though outside we appear to be dying, inside the Light of Jesus is shining.”
So whether we live or we die, we are the Lord’s. Hallelujah!
❤️& 🙏, c.a.
I like your list. Keep life interesting, but we really do have a great deal to achieve when we reach Heaven. I know it will be a busy place. Just imagine, no weeds, and gardens year round!