When You Believe in Heaven

The Sweetest Mother's Day Gift!

During our Bible class today, the kids and I were discussing the Sadducees and how this religious sect in the Old Testament only believed the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).

So, in essence, the Sadducees did not believe there was anything after death. And because of this belief, our study calls them “Sad-You-See.”

RELATED: I Will Love You To Heaven and Back

Because how sad, to only believe part of the Bible and not believe the whole.

Especially the part about Heaven as our home.

The lesson ended with these verses, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

As my daughter read these verses, they hit a little differently.

Weeks before my dad passed away a few years ago, he had a rough afternoon. I had just left the hospital, and they called me to come back. He was kind of out of it and rather incoherent.

RELATED: When a Parent Dies, Part of Your Heart Will Always Be Broken

I called all the family to come to the hospital because it was believed he wouldn’t make it through the night. But after praying over him, a whole experience I can’t explain, he came to himself that night.

And with family at his bedside, he recited John 14:1-3. And he recited it clearly, plainly, intelligently, and with strength.

It moved us all to tears.

He then went home to be with Jesus a few short weeks later. To live in Heaven with Jesus. That place he spoke of in those verses.

RELATED: Living Without My Dad Never Gets Easier

Heaven, the home God has prepared for us.

I’m so glad we have the hope and assurance of Heaven if we live for God.

I’m so glad my dad and all who have died in Christ before him are there now with Jesus.

So we don’t have to be “Sad-You-See.”

Originally published on the author’s blog

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Natasha Smith

Natasha Smith is a grief advocate, wife, engineer turned homeschooler and NC native. She is an author, speaker, and podcaster, sharing stories on faith, family, and grief. Her work has appeared in Influence Magazine, Guideposts, Propel Women, Her Bible, Her View From Home, TODAY Parents, and other publications. Her new book Can You Just Sit with Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life is available now wherever books are sold. You can connect with her across social media @imnatashasmith and at imnatashasmith.com.

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Especially the part about Heaven as our home.

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It moved us all to tears.

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Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

When You Believe in Heaven

Especially the part about Heaven as our home.

It moved us all to tears.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Your Worth Is Not Someone Else’s To Measure

Lord, Give Me Faith Like Hannah

God Carries Me Through the Deep Waters of Change

Faith After a Rare Disease Diagnosis

What If I Don’t Hear God’s Voice?

God Holds You As You Hold Everyone Else

Yes, I Know Fear—but I Also Know Faith

10 Years after My Mother’s Death, Her Faith Still Guides Me

Finding God in the Middle of Disbelief: A Mom’s Journey through Faith and Fear

In Praise of Indebtedness: How Threads of Reciprocity Weave Us Together

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