Thinking beyond today

Now that Ben's semester is well underway, and I'm working a lot and sleeping less (third trimester thing), when we have time together, we are oftentimes focused on the here and now, the to-do list, and the daily catch-up.  We try to sneak in conversations about bigger picture things, what God is teaching us, how we're being challenged and growing (my belly included!).  They are a bit harder to come by these days.  One of these conversations did happen, through, a couple of weeks ago.  I think it was a rainy Sunday afternoon.  

Ben had been reading this verse below and it led us to a beautiful conversation about Heaven, hope, God's glory revealed and other refreshing thoughts.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.       ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Ben observed Paul's use of the word "light" in verse 17.  That word typically refers to God's light, bringing light to a dark world, etc.  This time, Paul uses it in reference to our troubles here on earth.  Light troubles. That can almost seem like an oxymoron in this world! So Ben and I talked about this, about how if these troubles (which seem so dark and heavy at times) are actually light in comparison to the weight of eternal glory that's coming, we must be in for a glorious, joyous treat when we enter Heaven's gates (or when Jesus returns).  

We then started dreaming about Heaven together.  We shared our imaginations and felt like little children dreaming of their futures as firemen and ballerinas.  For a time, we escaped from this world and took a glorious journey, dreaming together with childlike wonder about Heaven, about God's glory and how unfathomable it really is (but how fun it is to make guesses).  

It was true refreshment for us both.