Thoughts Of Heaven

My thoughts have been on heaven a lot lately. I have a quote on my board above my writing desk, in my room that goes some what like this: "A woman of wisdom guards her heart and diligently keeps her eyes upon her home and heaven."

When we are focused upon heaven, all the little mundane chores of life become sparkled with a heavenly brilliance, that will last throughout eternity. When we love the family and friends God has given to us, with all of our hearts; we will have blessings showered down from Heaven.

Yesterday was the hardest day I have had in some time. I had this void within my heart all day--it would not leave me alone. It was the type of void that we try to fill with earthly desires: coffee, chocolate, sex, drugs, movies, getting angry, yelling, hitting, and the list goes on. It was gnawing at me, all I could do was praise Jesus.

What a crazy insane thing to do when the void is gnawing: Praise Jesus!

I was in the grocery store waiting for my children when a thought came to open up the little hymnal I carry with me. I opened it up and began to read the words upon the page:

When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer to Jesus I repair;
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Wnene'er the sweet church bell peals over hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
O hark to what it sings, as joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies, My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

In Heaven's eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet sound chant they hear
May Jesus Christ be praised!

To God, the Word, on high, the hosts of angels cry,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals, too, upraise their voice in hymns of praise;
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Rev. E. Caswell (1800)

When I read these words it warmed my heart and the void dissipated into thin air. Reading this hymn bought hope to my soul; even the saints of old felt the ever present void that sin brings. I, as the saint of old; stood in the market praising Jesus. Oh, how the dark world must have hissed at me when I filled the void with Christ.

How are you filling the void within your soul?

[ Robin -- from Kimberly ]