While contemplating the loss of my very dear and special Great Aunt Judy recently, I remembered a thought I had as a child. I remembered hearing in Sunday School about God’s great, all-encompassing knowledge; He even knew the number of hairs on our heads and counted every tear as special. I envisioned thousands of special rooms in Heaven that contained records of the life of each unique and different individual.
There is little doubt in my mind at all that God did indeed cherish and store up all the details of Judy’s life. Judy was a servant, just as God has asked us all to be in Phillipians 2:3-5. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” During her life, Judy served her husband, children, friends, and family with love from her Heavenly Father.
Over the past few days, I have found myself imagining the glorious moment when Judy, released from her human restraints and reunited with her Creator, experienced the rush of joy that comes with seeing someone well-beloved and long missed.
What was said between the two of them can only be imagined, but I like to imagine Jesus leading her to the “Judy Room”, wherein all of the details of her life, unnoticed by any but God, were kept.
What is in there?
Well, I remember hearing about the life of the ‘Invisible Woman’, who turned out to be, simply, a wife and mother. She often felt unimportant, encumbered by the tiny, insignificant acts of her day. How was her life meaningful when it was filled with the repetitions of laundry, cleaning, and endless demands from her family? Her dear friend gave her clarity when she compared her to the ancient architects, who work in such small detail and beauty, on things unseen by all.
Unseen by all, that is, except Jesus.
Jesus will have seen Judy’s life in a way that no one else could have. He will have seen each selfless act of love toward Roger, her husband, whether big or small. Every meal made, each shirt ironed and set out for the next day, a listening ear, advice given, doctor’s appointment set, each hug and kiss. He will have seen the friendship that He blessed them with blossom during the good times and strain during the hard times. He will not have missed their shared tears during times of disappointment and sadness, or their mingled laughter when life was sunny and hopeful. Jesus will have been pleased with the way that Roger and Judy, specially picked out for each other, slowly grew from two individual people into one amazing couple with shared interests, goals, and dreams, of which they were able to fulfill many during their 51 years together.
Jesus will have seen the pure and unselfish love of a mother to her children. Every night without sleep, each hot forehead soothed by a cool hand, messes cleaned up, boo-boos kissed, each piece of homework that needed help, clothing that needed stitched, washed, ironed, and picked up. There were puzzles to do, millions of questions to answer and ponder over, sunsets to marvel at, (Judy truly loved sunrises and sunsets, and she no doubt shared this love with many of her family), Halloween costumes to prepare, pools to fill and empty. Judy’s lap held more small bottoms than we could ever imagine! (Not to mention, as a rancher, Judy held many newborn calves than many of us could ever imagine.) A large number of her nights were spent without sleep, or very little of it, as she served small children with love and care.
(Judy held all of us as children too, and it was heartwarming to know that she got to hold and love on mine... She had a gentle and loving spirit that reminded me of her Aunt, my Great-Grandmother. It was wonderful to know that my children got to experience a bit of the woman we all adored so well through her niece, who put into practice so many lessons from her Aunt throughout her life.)
Jesus will have seen Judy’s love for her sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren. Every kind word spoken or written, each warm, loving embrace, moments of laughter, support through tears and pain, memories made and secrets shared.
He will also have seen Judy’s selfless acts of service for her friends, and even acquaintances. Every meal made, prayers in petition for those in need, card and not written in kindness and concern. Judy made hundreds of cookies, even during her struggle with cancer, and no one, down to the Mailman who delivered her letters, ever felt left out after a plateful of her delicious raisin oatmeal cookies.
When Judy walks into the “Judy Room”, will she find every record of her love, big or small, kept safe there by the One who sees and knows all?
Perhaps, and maybe not.