The anniversary of my daughter, Taylor's, death is coming up shortly...as in four days now. I don't really know what I'm going to feel that's different from any other time since her passing. I always miss her and I always will until we meet again in Heaven.
One of the ways I manage each day came in the form of an unexpected gift shortly after she died.
This gift is a portrait of Taylor entering Heaven. What makes this gift so important to me is the story behind it which I want to share with you today. I hope you'll feel anchored in your faith knowing that there is a Heaven, there is a good God who speaks to us, and there is a God who loves us so much.
It was March 2, 2020, a Saturday, when suddenly at midnight I woke up. I was sleeping in a recliner next to Taylor's medical bed. I checked on her and there seemed to be no change. I got up, headed to the bathroom, but when I passed by her bed, she took two deep breaths and then I knew something had changed. I couldn't get a response from her and then 30 minutes later her body had completely shut down. As of Sunday March 3, 2020 she had officially entered Heaven.
It wasn't until a month or so later we were given this painting and told how it came about.
On Saturday March 2nd, a woman that had met Taylor once the previous fall, was feeling impressed to paint a picture. She asked her pastor if she could paint during the worship time of the service and so he gave her the go-ahead.
This is what she painted.
She felt like she should paint Taylor. She had no idea that Taylor had just passed away that early morning. All she knew was that God was prompting her to paint a picture of Taylor and this is what she saw in her mind to paint.
Taylor's hair had become long again, her arms and hands are feeling again and she can move them, she's walking again like she did before the cancer...she has been fully restored.
After church, she arrived home to find an email, telling of Taylor's passing. She was completely surprised at the timing of it all.
Only God knew that Taylor was going to enter into Heaven that night and in his goodness, he told someone else, knowing that this painting would be a gift for our family.
This painting resides in our master bathroom where I look at it every day. Next to the painting are the faux flowers I used at her High School graduation party just two years ago, now they represent another graduation; from Earth to Heaven.
When I look at this portrait I am reminded of the goodness of God. Oh how he loves us all!
Jesus has a place prepared for us, and one day I'll get to see that beautiful field, meet my daughter there, and be reunited for eternity.
Every day I look at Taylor and say, "I'll see you soon baby-girl" knowing that because of my faith in Jesus, it's really true. I'll see her again.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NIV
In what ways has God revealed his goodness to you? Have you or someone you know had a vision of Heaven? What did they see? Have you ever been prompted by God to do something for someone without knowing the why? What happened? (Log In to leave a comment)