The joys of here...pointing to there

        We're here at the Homestead with a big, old group of our extended relatives for a Family Reunion.  So much fun, so much beauty, so much gratitude.  On a group hike, some falls--

       More falls--

       And the meandering stream--oh my, is there about anything more peaceful and beautiful than a mountain stream?

       On our hike with a guide from the Homestead, we learned about all kinds of truly remarkable examples of God's stunning creation.  For example, here's the Rattlesnake Orchid.  It apparently only blooms every 3 to 5 years.  Here it is, out here in the middle of the wilderness, preparing to bloom to the glory of God--even if no human eyes ever see it's beauty--

       Then there's the Yew Tree.  This wondrous tree has bark that is the basis for the life-changing cancer drug, Taxol.  Can you imagine?  Scientists discovered that the bark of this tree powerfully blocks the growth of, and kills,  cancer cells.  This discovery has saved numerous lives...including that of my sister-in-law. Praise God for this tree and for the scientists who tirelessly seek for cures for disease.

(That's the Yew tree in the background...and my dear sister-in-law in the foreground.  Thank You, Father.  Looks like a normal old, unassuming tree, doesn't it?  But God--our awesome Creator and Great Physician knew better!)
        Another thing I learned on our hike: 90% of all drugs that fight cancer and all other forms of diseases come from plants.  Yes, 90%!  And guess what percentage of life-saving drugs come from nature?  You'll never guess, so I'll tell you: 100%.  Now, some of those ingredients are altered and mixed and so forth, but the bottom line is they all come from nature.  Let me rephrase that: they all, all, all come from God's creation.  Incredible.
        Then there's this little plant called the Stitched plant--each leaf is individually stitched onto the stem.  What a God of intricate, meticulous detail!

       And I just had to add the lovely "arrangement" of ferns growing out of a giant rock on the side of the stream.  How does a rock produce something so green and lovely?  Our God strikes again!

       Then you add to the beauty and wonder of God's creation, the gift of spending time with dear family and friends that you love (and completely do not deserve).  Yeah, we've all got warts and imperfections, but God has given us to one another, and oh how I praise Him for His extravagant goodness.  Aren't you thankful we're not going through this often challenging journey all by our lonesome selves?  Thank You, Father, for the priceless treasure of companionship and love to encourage and strengthen us along the way...and for the joy of laughing with one another.  Never want to take that gift for granted!
        And did I mention the food?  Oh my stars, what could be better than sitting down to eat a delicious meal with people you love?  Seriously.  Have I thanked You lately, Abba, for giving me taste buds, appetite, and precious loved ones with whom to share each morsel?  He is so, so good.
       So here's the thing: if this world can hold such wonders, can you imagine heaven?  Yes, life can be so hard.  We all know that all too well. But life can also be luminously joyful...and all too often, it's the simplest gifts that bring us the greatest little foretastes of heaven: a baby's smile, a piece of chocolate, a bubbling brook, a refreshing rain, a moment of laughter and hilarity, a hot shower, a dearly loved face, an orange sunset.
         C.S. Lewis put it this way: "The faint, far-off results of those energies which God's creative rapture implanted in matter when he made the worlds, are what we now call physical pleasures; and even thus filtered, they are too much for our present management. What would it be to taste at the fountain-head that stream of which even these lower reaches prove so intoxicating? Yet that, I believe, is what lies before us [in heaven]. The whole man is to drink joy from the fountain of joy. In the light of our depraved appetites we cannot imagine this."
       Thank You, Father, thank You.  Teach us to see in every pleasure, every bit of beauty, every gift of love, a foretaste of all You have planned for us at "the fountain-head" of the stream of this world--the fountain-head of eternal glories.  Heaven...joy...perfection...glory...love...eternity...wonder ahead.  So whatever this day, or week, or year might hold, we can hang on, knowing no matter the path, You've got us.  And knowing, praise God, exactly where You're taking us.
       We love You, Lord, and we trust You.  When our eyes are focused on the hard and perplexing, Abba, we ask that You would graciously lift our vision to You.  Remind us of Your presence, energize us with Your provision, encourage us with Your promises, and strengthen us with the hope of Your perfect Heavenly home.
       Might the joys of here, continually point us to there.  
       To God be the glory.