"Don't Step on a Crack..."

When I was little I went to "Grandma Pre-School" (and before and after school care). I treasure those days and all that time with that precious lady! 

Grandma would often take us on nature walks around the neighborhood and I remember always being really careful as I walked on the often very cracked sidewalks because of that little rhyme, "Step on a crack, break your mother's back." I knew that it wasn't true but, just for fun, I would giggle with my brother and cousin and always be very careful not to step on cracks because I valued the well-being of my mom.

Now, as we go on walks, I often think of that little rhyme and sometimes I take delight in stepping on cracks on purpose as I giggle with God because I know that stepping on a crack can't hurt my mom. She is in a glorified body no longer wracked by lupus and I am so thankful that, though I miss her, her pain on earth is over.

Thinking of that made me think of 2 Corinthians 5. I read it in a few different versions but I liked how The Message put it:

^1-5For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.
 ^6-8That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.
 ^9-10But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
 ^11-14That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.

  Thanks God for giving my parents resurrection bodies. I long for mine but until I get it may I cheerfully please You here on earth with what You have entrusted to me and may Your love have the first and last word in everything I do.