On Sore Toes & Eternity

Recently I had one of those "not my best day" kind of days.

My big toe was red, swollen, and sore thanks to a lovely little hangnail.

My eyes burned like crazy despite two days on Claritin.

My head felt like it weighed a ton thanks to all the sinus pressure built up inside.

Yes, it was one of those days that reminded me that this is not my home because this falling apart body is not the one I’m supposed to have for eternity!

But, life still had to go on, despite the fact that it hurt to walk or hold my eyes open (or close them, for that matter!). There were still tasks that needed to be done and things that had to be checked off the to-do list. The kids had to be delivered to and picked up from Art Camp in the morning, and we still had to be ready for night three of Rec Camp at church. I had things to write and school planning to take care of, even when I just wanted to curl up on the couch and sleep the afternoon away.

It’s so easy to gripe such days away. A few whines here. A little grouchiness there. Why not just make everyone miserable right along with me?

Instead, very early in the day, the Spirit’s nudge came to me. It was the reminder that this is not my intended body. This body hurts. This body gets sick. This body gets tired. But, this body is also bound to this life.

There is a better life waiting. This isn’t news. We know it and talk about it all the time. But, is that really what we anticipate with great longing? I think often we are more inclined to anticipate good days in this life. The days our bodies actually feel good and energetic, when we don’t feel so tired or aren’t sick or sore. Those days when nothing major is going wrong and life is running smoothly. Those are the days we really look forward to – or maybe it’s just me. But, those aren’t the days we were made for. We were made for the days of eternity.

If a sore toe, burning eyes, and an aching head are what it takes to remind me to long for eternity, then so be it. But, here’s hoping that today I can remember eternity without feeling quite so rotten. Because even the good days should remind me that this "goodness" is nothing compared to the goodness that awaits in eternity.