Standing Ready for Jesus

Lenten Midweek Devotion

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

I remember a time of waiting on the Lord’s arrival. Praying and wishing I could mark the day He would arrive to escort my sweet mom through heavens gates.

In the months leading up to my mother’s death, she lived in our home. It was a rich and very challenging time, as I had two kids and a husband. Mom was on hospice, so I had multiple weekly visitors who attended mom and kept tabs on me too. 

My mom held a deep faith, having received Christ when she was twelve years old. She talked openly about being ready to see her Savior face to face. She also talked about getting to see her mom, who died tragically when she was only eight years old. She would tell of watching her mother being baptized wearing a long white dress, when mom was very young. She knew without a doubt that their reunion would be in heaven. 

My Joe, Josh and Tori loved my mom as much as I did. No one wanted her to leave us, but with failing health, and her desire to see her mother, my dad (her husband), and her longing to stand in the Lord’s presence, we prayed for His angels to come. 

In today’s scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10, we are challenged with the realization we will not know when Christ is returning, but as believers, we need to remain prepared and alert. Our victory is knowing that if we have salvation in Him, we will live with Him, whenever He arrives. 

My mom, in her dying days, knew where she was heading, and taught us all that the wait for Christ’s return is worth it. Can you say the same? Are you ready?

Peggy Valentino