To newness of life

I don't care at all for endings. I like to keep my favorite things forever. I'm crazy loyal to the people to which I feel like being loyal. I like the people I love to stay. It upsets me more than it should when Philosophy discontinues my lipstick (Hey! I was committed to YOU!), Starbucks cancels my favorite mug right after I break mine, or I can't find Ken's Northern Italian Dressing (I'm from the NORTH-I want it!). I don't like when things are finished, done, over with, ended.....or uncertain, up in the air for that matter.

When Jesus breathes his last from the cross and says, "It is finished," my heart instantly breaks for the disciples every time I read it. I'm afraid having been one of them I'd have been forever documented as a raving lunatic. "WAIT!! You don't have to leave. You can prepare a place right here. There's land RIGHT down the street! When you said you're coming back soon you mean like at lunch?? Like in a month??? WHEN???" Sigh.

I'm always a little happier for the followers when Jesus leaves them with the sweet Holy Spirit. The sense of His presence must have made Heaven feel a little less far away. And today He's still a beautiful, daily, moment by moment reminder that God truly is with us.

In the new year may you remember that there is new, life giving life in Him. Yes, for salvation, but also for an all the time whenever we need it do-over. Closer than the air you breathe, more dependable than your next heart beat, ever faithful, He loves you. When He came and died He did away with the uncertainty of endings. And one day, may we all discover, that the end of what we know of life is really just the beginning.