Jesse was a six year old foster child who lived with us for a few months while his mother waited for an insurance claim. His brother Jason had died in a car-bicycle accident. His oldest brother, Justin, was placed in another foster home. One night Jesse asked me how it was possible for Jason to be happy in heaven. “After all,” he said, “We’re not there and Mom’s not there. He doesn’t know anyone there. How can he be happy?”

I told him that God lets Mary love on all the boys and girls in heaven. “But he doesn’t know Mary!” He’s never met her!!” he protested. I was silent as I watched his body relax and a smile cross his face. His eyes lit up as he said, “Do you think, do you think that God makes it so that when Jason looks at Mary he sees Mom?” “Yes”, I said, “I’m sure God does that for Jason.”

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.” (I Corinthians 2:9) I had run out of answers, but Someone Else knew what Jesse needed to hear. The message had a healing effect, and Jesse embraced his school work and decided to become a professional swimmer when he grew up.

“Unless I go away the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go I will send Him to you. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:5&14)

Jesse didn’t know anything about a Holy Spirit. The thought of Him would have meant nothing to the puzzled and grief-stricken boy; but Jesus’ promise of sending One who would deliver what “no eye had seen, or ear heard or mind conceived what God had prepared.” was fulfilled in the mind of a child.

Jesus’ disciples could not have been more puzzled or grief stricken than young Jesse over their separation from the one who called them “brother”. They had to wait for the resurrection to receive the joy and consolation that answered their need, but God “revealed it to us (and Jesse) by His Spirit.”

Love in Him,

Prue