If you read only one story on this site, let it be this one. It captures the heart of why I write.

Over the past twenty-four months, much has happened in my life. From a trip with my barking dogs that caused hearing loss, to learning I would need brain surgery for a tumor.

But through all of it, I learned the most important thing of all:

Heaven would still be waiting for me with open arms.

As the time approached for surgery, my home was set ablaze and burned to the ground. No insurance. Nothing left.

And yet… nothing changed.

Numbers shifted. Some moved from the asset column to the debit column.

But Heaven continued to wait.

I began to think about Job and all that he endured. For a moment, I wondered if the devil had cut a deal with God, to see if he could turn me away from my Creator.

Instead of feeling angry, I felt honored. Flattered, even.

That God would trust me enough to let my faith and love for Him be seen, no matter the cost.

And then I learned another lesson:

Cost is only a number.

It has meaning on earth, but it is useless in Heaven.

Its purpose here is financial, but its value is found in helping, not owning.

I came face to face with what it truly means to store treasures in Heaven.

And all the while, God walked with me every step of the way. Almost as if He was using me like a prodigy, because that had been my purpose from the beginning.

Loss became gain.

And when I began to understand the fullness of God, He allowed me a glimpse behind the curtain.

Selah.

I have always loved to talk about the place that only God can fill. But now I understand that peace is found in a hidden place, unknown to everyone else, and known completely by God alone.

It is a place only He holds the key to.

It is a place you can see from above and land beside quietly, next to God Himself.

A place where you realize that understanding itself has no purpose, because comfort is found in the One who created everything.

And that is all you ever need to know.

It is a place where God would never ask, “Where were you when I created the world?” because here, you finally understand that you belong to Him.

It is a place where unanswered prayers are answered by not being answered.

Where sobs become sobs of joy.

Where death becomes life.

Where joy is undeserved, yet given freely by the One who owes us nothing.

I am close to where I long to be because I am with the One who made me.

Silence becomes golden.

“Be still” becomes exactly what it says:

Be still… because God is God, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

What is truly remarkable is that He knows my name.

Hope is no longer something I reach for, because He has given me assurance.

For those who have never heard of this place, it is life-changing understanding. And that understanding changes everything.

Grief takes a back seat, because God is purposeful, and His ways are better than our ways.

He does what is best for us, with us in mind.

Is there more we could ever ask for?

So yes, these past twenty-four months have been a true blessing. A blessing I one day hope to talk to Job about.

Trusting God is the easiest conclusion I have ever reached.

Why would I trust in anyone or anything else?

My eyes still shed tears— not of loss, but of gain.

I have gained a resting place.

A place of understanding.

A place of peace.

And when a loved one who loves the Lord passes, my eyes will still shed tears.

But they will be tears of joy.

The only sorrow I will feel will be knowing they simply made it to Heaven before I did.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am forever grateful that You thought of me, that You trusted me enough to lead me into a place of peace, comfort, rest, and understanding.

Thank You for allowing me to glimpse Your fullness, and for showing me that life is not found in holding on, but in surrendering all that I am to You.

I pray that You give me the words to help others find this remarkable place, to understand who You are, and to see Your greatness clearly.

Teach me to live knowing Your fullness, and to look forward to dying only because it means I will finally live completely in You.

Thank You for using me.

Thank You for letting me feel that I have given something back to the One who gave me everything.

My heart is Yours.