Morning Manna

Devotional

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Where Have they Gone?

Where Have they Gone?

Rose Otis, First General Conference Women’s Ministries Director (1995)

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.


2 Corinthians 5:1,2 NIV

I just opened the mail to discover an anticipated letter! My fiftieth high school reunion would take place in June! I recently saw pictures of three persons I had known in my early teens. Oh, I thought, they’ve aged! Immediately I realized how foolish my observation sounded. I look in the mirror every morning, but thankfully one’s aging comes over time. So in spite of the wrinkles, I’m preparing to attend my fiftieth reunion.

The campus buildings bear little resemblance to what they did in my day; however, return visits have always left me with new memories and a desire to be in the new earth with my friends, where we’ll enjoy the indescribable pastimes the Lord has in store for us!

Today I also received an envelope containing life sketches of several of my former classmates. I’ve been asked to write a page on 15 of them for a memory book that’s being made for the reunion. How interesting to read each one! They tell about college days, children, travel, grandchildren – and oh, yes, there have been some trials, too. I feel as if each life story could be compared to a patchwork quilt: Some beautiful lacey patches, perhaps from showers and weddings. A few flannel ones, when children arrived on the scene. A bit of silver, from wedding anniversaries. And yes, there were some rough, painful patches, too.

While a reminder of another year or decade passing, reunions are a blessing. Going away to a Christian boarding high school was one of the highlights of my life. I loved the place, the young people, the memories, everything – except the food. But I realize that I’m going to find some sadness waiting on campus. Some of my friends have lost their mates; others are fighting health problems. But we will enjoy the time together. I’m scanning my old annuals, refreshing my recall of names and familiar faces, hoping I’ll recognize my friends!

Oh, yes; we’ll all keep adding patches to our personal quilts as long as life lasts, and then we’ll rest until Jesus calls our names. But throughout eternity we’ll enjoy our youthful bodies and minds. We’ll celebrate our new home, where we’ll never grow old. Come with us there, where we’ll all be young again!

Sanctuary ©2009 by Review and Herald Publishing Association