The day I share this will be the three-year anniversary of my very first post on “Heading to Heaven.”  This is my 162^nd offering on this site, though I’ve run a few repeats over time.  Today we embark on year four!

It’s difficult to fathom that much time and that many words have been invested already!  The waters of time, and the thousands of sentences, have flowed rapidly by.

I had no bucket-list goal to start a blog.  In fact, it never really occurred to me before.  Rather, it was something I felt led to do during the restrictions of COVID.  Though the concept was beyond intimidating, with great trepidation and much prayer I ventured forth. 

And I’m still venturing.  I pray that someone somewhere has been encouraged by something I wrote at some time.

When I began this blog I had no idea what I was doing.  (And really, I still don’t!)  It has been an ongoing educational process.  Here are a few things that I’ve learned along the way:

God sometimes (often?) leads us down unexpected paths for his own reasons. God’s plans are God’s plans, and he gets us involved in some little way according to his plan.

I’ve gained just enough information about building and running a blog site to barely get by.

Our God can and does make miracles happen. All the time!  I’ve seen them on both ends of this enterprise.

I’ve learned that the Lord ministers to his people in many different manners … but always in the right way at the right time.

I’ve been reminded how powerful and pertinent God’s words are. They are life-changing and continually relevant.

Jesus’ love for you and me is unmistakable, unimaginable, and unrelenting.

I’ve grown from personal experiences along the way … both the significant ones and those less so. (Which finally makes all those learning experiences significant.)

I have gained so many insights – into God’s astounding creation, into life in general, and best of all, into God’s magnificence and his truths – as I researched topics and ruminated on the posts I shared.

God is always faithful; I never once struggled to find a topic to share. Never even had to worry about it.  Week by week, ideas always came.  (Thank you, Lord!)

I’ve learned (actually re-learned) that I thoroughly enjoy telling stories.  And especially if they convey aspects of God’s truth in a (hopefully!) creative, fresh, thought-provoking and beneficial manner.

As I wrote, praying to provide uplifting insights and encouragement for others, I was undoubtedly the one who benefited the most.

When others shared comments, I’ve been blessed and encouraged through their (your!) insights. Sincere thanks to all who have taken the time to do so over the years.

As is generally true of life, the more wisdom I’ve gained, the more I realize how little I know!

I’ve learned I am eager to continue to learn – especially about our good and gracious God. It’s a life-long process, and thouroughly exciting.

Experience has also taught me that after I post this list, I’ll think of some really important lessons I failed to mention!

Here’s an ongoing learning experience: I’m continually astonished, humbled, and grateful that anyone reads these posts, as well as every time a new person subscribes to the blog. Sincere thanks to all of you!

Finally, here’s something I would love to learn: do you have any requests for future topics or short stories?  If you do, please leave them in the comments below.  I’ll try to honor any suggestions that come in.

I’d also be glad to hear if you have been blessed in any way by “Heading to Heaven” through the years.  I’m not looking for praise; just affirmation that God has used this site, and encouragement to continue it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Proverbs 3:13-15
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Psalm 119:169
May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding …

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.