Easter weekend marked four weeks since Criss’ passing. He was 46 years old and had no idea when he went to bed Friday night that it was his last day here on earth. The week before, the kids were away on a retreat with their high school. Criss and I planned a little “staycation” while they were gone. We both took a couple days off work. We grilled steaks one night and went out to dinner another. Instead of spending money staying somewhere, we bought a used, inflatable hot tub from a friend and a new fire pit. The last night before the kids returned, we roasted hot dogs and made s’mores. Criss had dreamed for years of getting a hot tub, and we used it at least every other day once we had it. Criss, Autumn, and I spent time there together the night before he passed.
As we sat watching TV that Friday night, Criss was making plans for the weekend ahead. (He was trying to convince me that we all needed to visit Buc-ees.) He was planning hiking trips with friends. We had tickets to attend a concert with friends in April. We were working on a vacation to the Grand Canyon this summer, and we were trying to save to go to Israel with our church next year. Our kids are only a few years away from finishing high school, and we were looking for ways to make the most of the little time we had left with them.
2020 was a crazy year. It was easy to just try to survive until 2021 finally arrived. However, there was a thought that kept coming to my mind – what if this is the best it gets, and we’ve wasted it waiting for something better to arrive? I tried to be intentional about using the extra time we had as a family and soaking up every minute I could with them. I am so thankful I did. The past year is full of hard times mixed with beautiful memories.
Our last picture together. Taken at The Birmingham Zoo's Glow Wild.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow. We hear that often, but do we really take it to heart? I could have peace & hope in the midst of great sadness this Easter because I know that the moment Criss left this earth, he was in the presence of Jesus - and one day, I will see him again.
What weighs heaviest on my mind as I write tonight is all of you. If you went to bed tonight, never again to step foot on this earth, do you know where you would spend eternity? I know where I’ll be, and I know where some of you will be. However, there are many of you that I have no idea. The world wants to tell us that there are many ways to heaven, but that just isn’t true. There is just one way – and that is by believing in Jesus. He is THE way. Being good doesn’t get you to heaven – neither do all of these other things that some of you are trusting in.
As you sit here today, making plans for your future, make sure you have made the most important plans of all – where you will spend eternity.
I would love to talk with you about it.
Janel
