How Much Does Heaven Weigh?

If you could place your life's trials on a scale, how much do you think they would weigh?  10-20 pounds, 100 pounds, a ton, even more?  This life can so easily weight us down.  Some seasons in life, the burden can be so very great.

I love to think about heaven.  Just the thought of an eternity without pain or sorrow is almost beyond comprehension.  I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin expresses this so well.  But heaven is not just about the absence of evil, it is also about the presence of God - the glory yet to be revealed.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "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."  (NIV)

I've heard this verse many times before, but something new jumped out at me one day.  Did you notice how it referred to the weight of eternal glory?  Not only do we get to look forward to the absence of pain & sorrow - but however great the weight of our earthly sorrows, we will encounter a glory that weighs more than our troubles ever did.  So much so that our earthly woes will appear light by comparison.  And this is not temporary - but for all of eternity.  What an amazing thought!  Let that sink into your heart for a minute.

As I look back at the trials I've experienced - miscarriage, raising two kids with ongoing health issues (one of whom was miserable the first 8 years of his life), a mom who passed away after an 8 year battle with cancer, sitting in hospital rooms with family members who might not make it, as well as numerous other challenges.  I think of the days when I was so weighed down by it all.  The times when all I could do was sit and cry until I just couldn't cry any more.  It is all a reminder that the weight of the trials I experience is in this life cannot compare to the far surpassing weight of heaven that is yet to come.  O Glorious Day!

Janel

Charis Road Intro

"Tune my heart to sing thy grace."
~ from Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Welcome to my new blog!  For those who are new, thanks for dropping by.  For those who followed my previous blog, thanks for sticking with me all this time.

So, who am I?  I am a wife (married 18 years) and mom to two spunky kiddos (currently 11 and 12).  I am a former foster parent (turned adoptive mom).  I am also a teacher, certified in both elementary & special education.  I taught in private school for 6 years, stayed home with my kids for 6 years, and then returned in 2012 to teach at the public school my kids were attending. 

Through all of this, God has given me a passion for helping churches and Christian schools to better serve individuals with special needs and their families.  Many might assume that this calling came about after my kids came along (due to their medical concerns).  However, this desire surfaced well before they entered the picture.  It came about during those first years of teaching in a private, Christian school, as there were not sufficient services to assist students with learning differences, medical concerns, or physical challenges.  I won't go into the full story at this time, but if you'd like to know more, you can read one of my previous posts here.

For some time now, this calling has been simmering, waiting on God's perfect timing.  But recently, there has been a cloud (or two) on the horizon - signs that I may soon be able to live out the calling that I've been so passionate about all these years.  And that is what's led me to start a new blog.  I'm hoping to share with all of you not only my life and musings but also my journey along the path to which He has called me, in hopes that it will help others who follow a similar path.

Charis is the Greek word for grace.  It was a word that God placed in my thoughts some time ago.  I can't remember when it began really.  Thus, the title for the blog - Charis Road.  Journaling my journey along this path of grace.  It is only by His grace that I've made it this far, and it's only by His grace that I continue.  I am an imperfect person who is thankful for, amazed by, and in need of His grace daily.

Janel