Martina.

Sometimes one name is really all you need. And if you follow music, you know exactly who I’m talking about.

I have been a big fan of country music singer, Martina McBride, since she started her singing career. She has had quite a few hits that share a very important message. Her latest single is no exception.

Written to honor, support, and encourage our military members and their families, “We’ll Pick Up Where We Left Off”, is another great song with a great message. I especially like the lyrics to the refrain:

“Hey, don’t say good-bye,

Just say good night

And we’ll pick up where we left off.

We’ll say hello,

And welcome home,

And we’ll pick up where we left off.”

The song has a nice thought for those military members leaving for duty, “We are not going to say goodbye, because goodbye can sometimes mean an end to something. Rather, let’s just say good-night because that means we hope to see each other in the new day. And when you finally come home, we’ll be there to greet you at the door with a hello and to welcome you home. We’ll pick up where we left off, the feelings will be just as strong (like you never left), and life will get back to normal again.” Beautiful thoughts, especially this time of year.

It’s Christmas – a time to once again focus on the birth of our Lord and Savior.

I wonder if God maybe said something similar to Jesus when Jesus was leaving the glories of Heaven to become a little baby, “Jesus, we’re not going to say goodbye. You know what You have to do: go down to Earth, live a perfect life, and die a cruel death on the cross to pay for the sins of all mankind. But don’t worry, Jesus, I’ve got this. I will raise You to life again on the third day. And a few weeks after that, You will ascend back to Heaven. We’ll pick up where We left off and start preparing places for all those who believe in You and are saved.” I can just picture the Father standing at the entrance to Heaven, waiting for Jesus to return triumphant, giving Him a big smile and hug, and saying, “Hello, Jesus. Welcome Home.” Part of me wants to think they also gave each other a victorious “high five.”

Sometimes I get some weird thoughts. For instance, I think about Mom every day (that’s not the weird thought). I miss her every single day. I still hurt every single day. My love for Mom has not diminished in the least. But then I get worried about Mom in Heaven. Sounds goofy, right? Why would I worry about Mom being in Heaven? After all, there are sights and sounds beyond our comprehension. She is talking and laughing with relatives, friends, and all the saints that have gone before us, being in the very presence of God, perhaps even having a nice conversation with Jesus. Eternal love and joy and peace are all around her. No more sin, no more pain, no more tears, no more death. I am so happy for Mom and so thankful the Holy Spirit sustained her faith until the end. But I get a little worried at times that with all the glory and splendor Heaven has to offer that Mom has moved on without me. And what will happen when God calls me Home – will Mom even remember me? As I said, weird thoughts, right?

Then I re-read the refrain above from Martina’s song. I picture what I hope will happen at the moment I take my last breath on earth: Jesus will take me by the hand and walk me safely through the valley of the shadow of death. We continue on and I can see Heaven. As we get closer, there she is, my Mom, standing by the proverbial pearly gates. My Dad is standing there next to her. Jesus somehow beat me back to Heaven and He and the Father are also there. They are all smiling and happy. Mom gives me a great big hug that seems to last for eternity, then Dad. Finally, Jesus stretches out His loving arms and nail-pierced hands and gives me the biggest hug while saying, “Hello, Jim. Welcome Home. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” I believe that is the same way He greeted both Mom and Dad.

And no matter how many years pass from February 25, 2014 when Mom died until the day God calls me Home, I believe Mom and I will pick up right where we left off. After all, Love lasts forever.

I pray the same holds true for you and your loved ones –  a joyous, happy reunion that picks up right where you left off.

Here is another thought: maybe as Jesus was leaving Heaven, the Father didn’t say goodbye, but said “Good night.” And maybe that was more than a farewell greeting – maybe it was also encouragement for what Jesus had to do and a preview of things to come.

And, for us, that first Christmas wasn’t just a good night.

It was a great night.

The best night.

A silent night.

A Holy night.

A night Divine.

A night in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago, when all was calm and all was bright and a Baby was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and laid in a manger because there wasn’t room at the inn.  A Baby born to Joseph and Mary. The Savior of all who believe in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit has come to earth! Joy to the world!

Christ is born!

Immanuel (God with us).

Jesus.

The one name above all other names that really does say it all – and the only name we need to be saved eternally.

 

I wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas, and pray that God will watch over you, keep you safe, and bless you in the New Year! God bless! Jim

To watch a portion of Martina McBride’s song and video clip of military members returning from service and being reunited with loved ones, click here.

#martinamcbride #wellpickupwhereweleftoff #Christmas

Images taken from Pinterest. No copyright infringement of the song intended.