Empty Chair…

Empty Chair…9-7-25

This is my chair. A place of comfort, peace, quiet, joy, and love. Early morning and late evening, my husband sits in the other chair. On rare days, I spend hours in this chair. Those are rare days. Neighbors and friends pass by. Some honk, wave, or nod. Some just pass. Today is one of those rare days that I have a few hours. There are very few cars passing. My chair is not fancy or adorned with cute pillows that coordinate with others throughout my porch. A blanket for warmth is always nearby in the cooler months. There are stacks of odd pillows for comfort not fashion. There are plants, an owl (There is a story.), and soccer balls beneath the basket swing. There are lawn chairs for others to join in conversation or quiet reflection. Wooden electric spools serve as tables. An American flag blows in the breeze at the end of the porch, with another wooden flag that our friend made on the other side leaning against a railing. The porch is cluttered with chairs, flowers, and a grill. Nothing is fancy here. That isn’t who I am. I’m simple inside and out. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I would love to do the cute decorations, but time and money don’t allow that. Not to mention, my husband is comfort alone. I love that about him.

As I sit on this cool morning, I have a few hours. I watch the neighbor’s dog slip up to check the yard for scraps that he knows I leave him. I watch the flag blow in the breeze. I feel the cool air, and I understand that the seasons are changing. That’s what I love though. Each season brings new memories and lessons.

You see, my chair won’t always be filled. There are times that this chair will be empty. One day, prayerfully a long time from now, this chair will not be filled with my presence. What I leave behind will be my legacy. Oh, don’t think I’m all morbid or anything. I’m thinking of loved ones who’ve been laid to rest that are no longer with us. Their chair is empty. But their life has just begun.

We will start a new Bible Study in our Women’s Group. I have been watching a few videos, and am looking forward to our great conversations. I am anticipating insights and opportunities to grow and learn. I am always looking forward. However, in order to truly grow, we need to look back at lessons learned. We don’t need to stay in the past, but understand the past gives us insight. The past provides our basis for our future.

Did I want a past childhood riddled with memories that are sometimes painful to bear? No! None of us want the painful memories, but these are what gives us hope and understanding that God is ever present and holds us in His hands. These memories and experiences are our growing pains. They are stepping stones to our future kingdom.

Philippians 5:1-2, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,”. The earthly tent is our body. The building from God is our new body in Heaven. Our Lord will give that to us when we get to our Heavenly Kingdom. A friend’s husband made the comment once that if we are Christians there is a longing within us for our new home, for Christ to come.

Some day my chair will be empty. Some day my words will be no more. But that day, my life will begin new. I will receive a new body. I will see my loved ones again. I will be with God. Come, Jesus, Come.