I don't want our kids to feel at home here...

Because--

This is not their home.

Yes--I want them to enjoy life. And be healthy. And feel comfort. And know safety. And taste success.

But not if it means that they-- Feel too much at home.

And that's why over here-- We talk a lot about Heaven. And that's why over here-- We also talk about death.

And yes--I get it. There's a balance. We're not trying to load them down with more than their little hearts and minds can handle, but if anything-- the see-saw is weighted too heavily on the other end.

We live in a mirage of security. Where we think there is a medicine or method or mystic or mantra that can keep us from being Mortal. But it's a dangerous illusion to uphold-- Creating myopic vision. Eternal fervor dampened under the delusion of the here and now. But those redeemed by Christ are not citizens of this here and now. No--

"our citizenship is in Heaven,

and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."

~Philippians 3:20

So, we do talk about death. We don't shy away from it. Because for most people, in most places, in most times throughout history-- Death is a common foe. And in the midst of the grief, something healthy comes from that heartache. No one has to convince us that-- "...we are but dust." And a man comes to know that--

"his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it,

and it is gone; and its place knows it no more."

~Psalm 103:14-16

When I fail as a parent. When I fall into worry. When I sense our child hurting. When I see tragedy strike. It all makes me long for Heaven.

Because Heaven changes everything. It shifts our dreams, our goals, our direction. It affects our pain, our sorrow, our fears. Heaven gives us hope.

"We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died

so you will not grieve like people who have no hope...

Then we will be with the Lord forever.

So encourage each other with these words."

~1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16-18

Heaven moves us to invest in what will endure-- Forever. Heaven gives us courage to sacrifice for what will last-- Forever.

So, as I said... I don't want our kids to feel at home here. I want them to know-- To really know that:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more..."

~Revelation 21:4

I want them to believe-- To really believe that:

Jesus said,

"And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and will take you to myself,

that where I am you may also be."

~John 14:3

And I want them to live--

To really live in such a way that when they reach Heaven they will say:

"I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here." ~C.S. Lewis The Last Battle

Practical ideas for renewing an eternal perspective:

--Read Randy Alcorn's Heaven for Kids or any of the other excellent resources offered byEternal Perspectives Ministries. --Subscribe toThe Voice of Martyrs magazine. Reading about Believers around the world who are facing persecution always shifts my perspective. --Develop relationships with some of the older, faithful Christians in your church family who can communicate an assurance of Heaven. --Read or listen to missionary biographies. We highly recommend those offered by Desiring God. For younger children, we also recommend YWAM's Hero Biographies, Dave & Neta Jackson's entire series of Hero Tales, Catherine Mackenzie's Little Lights series, and The Torchlighter's Heroes of the Faith movies. --Read Krista Horning's book Just the Way I Am and Heaven by Joni Eareckson Tada. --Talk about real life. Our oldest son became a Christian on January 22, 2008. I know the exact date because it was the day Heath Ledger died. We were talking about his death at dinner and how much changes the moment a person dies, which led to a longer discussion that God used to transform our son's heart. Everyday Talk is an excellent book about incorporating biblical conversations in everyday life. --Begin every morning thanking God that--"We are looking forward to a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." ~2 Peter 3:13

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