How Could I NOT Want This Day to Come? Updated on May 25, 2024, Ten Years Later

Dear Friends, I originally wrote this post ten years ago today, May 25, 2014, on the day that our precious son Matthew entered heaven's gates. Since that day we have grieved over the loss of his presence in our lives, but we have rejoiced in knowing where he is and that we will see him again some day. Since that day at lot has changed in our lives...we are all ten years older, and getting closer to heaven's gates ourselves.  One day we will experience what Matthew has already been enjoying for these past ten years. I am certain he will be at the gates with Jesus, ready to welcome us "home". Who knows? Maybe he has even had a part in helping to build our "mansion" in heaven...he always loved to draw house plans...but that house will be built with materials that last for eternity...no need of paint or plumbing or new roof shingles there...and no need for any more "good-byes".   Yes, we miss him here oh so much, but I wouldn't call him back to earth for anything. He is living where the roses never fade and the body never grows old again. I look forward to that day.  But until then,  we carry on with our lives and try to live the way Christ leads us to live. I pray that our lives will always reflect His great love.

Here is the original post written ten years ago:

Sunday, May 25th, 2014.  The Day I hoped would never come...but wait! I take that back!  Just shortly after midnight our wonderful son Matthew Everette Steiner passed from this life into eternity after a lengthy battle with a rare and aggressive cancer.  He was exactly 41 years and 3 months old today. For the past four years he has fought valiantly against this horrific foe...and today...well, today he is no longer fighting.  The battle is over. It is finished.  How could I NOT want this day to come?

Today begins an exciting new chapter in the life of Matthew Everette Steiner.  I repeat his full name...as it is a name that is ringing throughout the halls of heaven today!  As soon as Matthew took his last breath here on earth, he gulped a breath of celestial air for the first time...and began his adventure in paradise.  When he crossed over the threshold of those pearly gates, I believe there was a shout and there were victory dancers surrounding him as he was escorted through the streets of gold by the holy angels themselves.  The saints of old were lining the streets, cheering and waving, calling out his name and welcoming him HOME.  Yes, HOME...home at last.  He was greeted and hugged by his grandparents and friends and ancestors who have gone on before...and then, best of all, he was presented to the One Who Died for him...his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ Himself.

Oh, how I would have loved to have been a little birdie on the wall watching this amazing event!  I would so love to have had just a glimpse of the joy on my precious son's face as he met Jesus face to face. To see him running and leaping through those jewel lined streets...strong and healthy and completely well!  No more sickness, no more fear, no more dying... Set free and totally healed...never to suffer ever again.

Yes, I am sad. I will miss this laughing, happy, fun loving child of mine.  I already miss hearing his voice. I am overcome with tears as waves of memories assail me frequently without warning. I am grieving for this great loss to our family and to his own sweet wife and son. There are no words that can describe what I am feeling adequately...but these word pictures do help me visualize the joy that he is experiencing...and I need to remember that.  My son is whole again...no more dying there...he is worshiping the King of Kings...and singing praises with the angels in glory. Again I ask, "How could I NOT want this day to come?"

Matthew Everette Steiner...before the cancer struck him
Healthy and whole...the way I expect he is today in heaven

Lind to a previous post, with more links to other posts about Matthew's life.

Abide in My Love

"I Am the true vine,

and My Father is the vinedresser."

"Every branch in Me that 

does not bear fruit 

He takes away;

and every branch that bears fruit

He prunes,

that it may bear more fruit."

"You are already clean

because of the word which I

have spoken to you."

"Abide in Me, and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

unless it abides in the vine,

neither can you,

unless you abide in Me."

"I am the vine,

you are the branches.

He who abides in Me,

and I in him,

bears much fruit;

for without Me you can do nothing."

"If anyone does NOT abide in Me,

he is cast out as a branch

and is withered;

and they gather them and throw them

into the fire, 

and they are burned."

"If you abide in Me,

and My words abide in you,

you will ask what you desire,

and it shall be done for you."

"By this My Father is glorified,

that you bear much fruit;

so you will be My disciples."

"As the Father loved Me, 

I also have loved you;

Abide in My love."

"If you keep My commandments,

you will abide in My love, 

just as I have kept 

My Father's commandments and 

abide in His love."

"These things I have spoken to you,

that MY JOY may remain in you,

and that YOUR JOY 

may be FULL!"

"This is My commandment,

that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER

as I have loved you."

"Greater love has no one than this,

than to lay down one's life

for his friends.

You are MY friends if 

you do whatever I command you."

~Jesus Christ~

The Gospel of John

15:1-14

There is nothing more that I can add to these words of 

Jesus Christ...except believe in Him and you will

have abundant life!

"The thief does not come except to steal, 

and to kill, and to destroy.

I (Jesus Christ) have come that they may have life,

and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

Amen!

(All pictures are from our beautiful surroundings in our "Camp in the Woods" home. Thank  you, Lord, for Your abundance and abiding love! Amen.)