ALOHA

Jim and I and our two friends have just returned from paradise—officially known as the island of Kauai, Hawaii.

Now I need to do 17,531 loads of laundry, while contemplating how dirty shorts and smelly shirts can take up so much more room than clean ones.

While I’m waiting for the spin cycle, I thought I’d share paradise with you.

Wish you were there. Wish I still was, too.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the beauty on this earth and for giving us times of rest and relaxation by your commandment of the “Shabbat—rest from labor.” In all things, help us to remember to rest and relax in you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What was your best vacation ever? When’s your next one?

WELCOME TO PARADISE

I’m not here.

Well, technically I am here now. But when you read this I won’t be here. I’ll be there—in Hawaii. The tropics; hula land; on holiday. You know. Paradise.

Being on vacation though doesn’t mean I leave you behind. Rather, I’m taking you with me in a way because I’m thinking of you ahead of time; almost like I’m taking you along to paradise.

That reminds me of Jesus.

Before the beginning of the world, God was. He planned His plan in every detail; including the details of heaven and how He could make a way for us to spend eternity there with Him.

Enter Jesus. Well, Jesus was already there, too; existing along with the Father and Spirit, before the beginning. And their plan—THE Plan—was salvation for us through Jesus’ sacrifice. In other words, God found a way to take us along with Him to Paradise. 

Here on holiday, the sand is warm. The water glimmers. The fruit is sweet and the company is, too. It’s true paradise.

Maybe I can’t take you with me on this trip. But we can hang out in true Paradise together one day. Won’t that be heavenly?

PRAYER: Father, thank you for giving us glimpses of heaven by creating beautiful earthly paradises here. Remind us of our true home where you are waiting for us. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What place on earth comes closest to your idea of paradise?