WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME KNOW? (HERE AND NOW)

(Throughout this month, I am sharing a few excerpts from my recently published memoir of my time with ovarian cancer in 2015. The words in italics are from my journal entries.)

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When we do those things that Jesus tells us to do—forgive, repent, love, share—we are living the kingdom now. We are seeing a glimpse of heaven; we are experiencing the joy and delight of the kingdom in the present moment. These kingdom-living moments are heaven for us, here and now.

The more we pursue the ways of Jesus and desire to follow him, the godlier we will become. Maybe we should strive to be living the kingdom way as much as we are able. Then, at our earthly life’s end, the transition to the heavenly realm will be a small one.

The beauty of God’s loving presence is here, no matter how far our field of vision extends. God’s presence is within us. God’s presence is in our souls and in the fragile shells that encompass our souls. God’s presence is surrounding us in the fog, cushioning us in the grass, shining upon us from the sky, accompanying us with every stream, meadow, tree. God is in the people who are on this journey with us. God is in this very moment. God then stretches to infinity beyond it all.

And so will we.

As curious as we may be, we no longer need to search beyond our vision for the kingdom of God. We only need to feel what is already deep within us, to see what is right before us, to love what is all around us, with a heart ready to notice how God’s loving presence is present. Perhaps if we increasingly notice and participate in kingdom living—here and now—then, when it is our time to leave this earthly realm, we will simply turn our heads and smile in recognition.




Photo by Karen, Bar Harbor ME

My memoir, What Would You Have Me Know? Contemplation and Companionship in a Time of Cancer is available in paperback or Kindle. During my time with cancer, I deeply sensed God’s loving presence through my prayerful reflections and the kindness of others. I wrote this book as a gift of gratitude to God and the caring people in my life–but I pray that it may also serve as a source of peace and hope for any reader.