Gratitude: Simeon...

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.  He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight for all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'  The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him."  ~ Luke 2:25-33

Over the years, I have read many stories about little ones and their desire to go to heaven.  Each one is so sweet and touching.  

And now, because of God's love, I have a daughter and she has her very own heaven story.

For our bedtime story the other night, Aubrey Kate picked the story of Simeon and Anna meeting Jesus as a baby in the temple.  It's such a precious story of God's faithfulness.  But it's not one I think about often.  

This is the conversation after we finished reading the story:

AK:  I want to meet Jesus, Momma.

Me:  Me too, baby.  We'll meet him in heaven one day.  

AK:  I want to go now, Momma.

Me:  We'll go soon enough, baby, but not right now.

AK:  Can you come with me?

Me:  Yes, baby, I'll be in heaven with you one day.

AK:  But why can't we go now, Momma?

Me:  We'll go when Jesus wants us to come home to heaven.  Not a minute before.

AK:  But Momma, I want to go noooowwwww!

She wants to do most everything now.  Right this second.  And if she can't, she'll ask a million times over "but why not?"  It would normally be annoying (real mommy moment of the day) but this time it was both exciting and sad.  

I am thrilled she wants to meet Jesus, even at her young age and early understanding of Jesus.  

Although, let's face it, her understanding is so wondrously simple.  She completely accepts the stories we read in her bible.  She doesn't question his love for her.  

But at the same time, the thought of her leaving me breaks my heart.  

I am grateful for both emotions.  Grateful Christ loves me enough to loan her to me to raise.  Grateful He understands the love of a parent.  Grateful He is my Father and loves me so much more than I could ever comprehend.  

Grateful for Simeon and Anna and how they, though thousands of years apart, are teaching my daughter how precious that moment you meet Jesus will be.