Stones

It was a child’s funeral following a deadly illness that took its toll on the entire family and their friends. There was a note in the memorial folder:

“A basket of purple stones has been filled for Kinley. Please take one home with you and place it somewhere to be seen each day as a reminder of Kinley's strength. Let it be a reminder that you may never know what burden is carried by others around you. On days you are feeling frustrated, have more patience.”

At mine, I would wish my family to use a basket of white stones with a reference to:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17 KJV)

And a note that "I’ve gone to pick up my stone with my new name on it – keep this one as a reminder that there is one for you, too."

You see, I believe that life is eternal. I believe the Bible where it is written:

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 KJV)

The Kingdom of Heaven is described in so many different places in the Bible that these pages cannot hold the verses. Matthew gives the greatest number of examples, in Christ’s parables and as John the Baptist spoke:

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2 KJV)

Many have become impatient, thinking that a couple of thousand years disproves the at hand, and therefore the remainder of the message. We were told not to be concerned:

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8 KJV)

So, whether it be one day, two or three, my faith remains as to my eternal home. It was promised to me in the first verse taught to me as a child:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

As Christ said, so I would have you know that I believe, when I go to Him, If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:28b KJV)