But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  (I Corinthians 2:9)

My wife and I just returned from what she described as her dream vacation. We celebrated our silver wedding anniversary with a trip to Europe, visiting London, Paris and Rome. We had a glorious time as we saw attractions and sites that were breath taking.

During a site-seeing trip in London, I noticed an elderly lady who was travelling with her adult children. The mother was not in the best of health and you could easily see that her children, while concerned about her, were determined to see that she had a good time. As I watched this family interact, I thought about my relationship with my not long ago, dear, departed mother.

I have said before, my mother was an incredible woman. As I grew into adulthood as a young man, I became more aware of the tremendous impact she had on my life and I wanted to do all I could to show her my appreciation. I remember taking her on site-seeing trips through downtown Chicago. We went to several high end restaurants like, Eli’s, Carson’s and the Pheasant Run. I really enjoyed spoiling my mother because of the tremendous sacrifices she had made for me. As I stood in front of Westminster Abbey in London, I felt a little sad because I desperately wanted my mother to experience something so grand. As I watched those young adults fussing over their mother, I longed for an opportunity to share this experience with my mother.

Before I became too carried away with sorrow and grief, the Spirit quickened within me. The Lord reminded me where my mother was. And what He had planned for her far exceeded anything I would ever plan or do for her. The Lord explained to me no matter how much I loved my mother, no matter how great I wanted to bless and take care of my mother, I could never duplicate or compete with His goodness and blessings.

No doubt all of us feel indebted to someone. Perhaps a husband remembers how his wife stood by him in the early days of his career. I remember the days when my wife stood with me in ministry, my career and really anything I set my mind to. Perhaps there are some parents who want to do something for their children. You’ve seen your child excel in school or perhaps you haven’t had the resources to do for them as you really desire. I remember seeing a mother brought to tears because she could not afford to get something for her children for Christmas.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we will never be able to do enough for those who have sacrificed and help make the way for us. We can never repay someone for teaching us the Word of God. We can never reimburse someone for praying for us, or laying hands on us and casting evil spirits out and off of us. What is the value of someone witnessing to us? We cannot repay them, but God can and will!

Stop and think about what God has in store or us. Have you ever read what the apostle Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18) or the words penned by the prophet Jeremiah, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11)? The Lord has great plans for us.  He is going to take great pleasure and delight in blessing and rewarding His people for our labor. The more I think about God’s greatness and His ability and intent to bless us, I get both excited and encouraged. When I think about what God has planned for my mother, I am sure she would rather have what He has planned than anything I could ever come up with.

Friends of mine – be encouraged. The Lord is soon to return and He has some great things planned for all of us. Our presiding bishop has coined the phrase, “…I see you in the future, and you look much better than you look right now.” And with God’s blessings manifested in our lives, this sentiment is sure to come to pass for us!

I bless you in the name of the Lord!