I walked with a young friend to the top of her hill. Tehillah is 14 and, like us, lives near a vineyard.
“Oh, I wonder,” I started, stretching to see the view from the street over some annoyingly tall brush. “I wonder if we could just sneak a picture from the vineyard’s property.” I edged forward—
Click
—capturing the distant mountain range above the verdant growth of grapevines running lengthwise down the hill.
I crept further onto the property, with every step aware that we didn’t belong there. “Let’s get a selfie together in the lavender.” I plunked down on the fabric mat between the purple and sage swaying foliage. She giggled and joined me, full well knowing we could get kicked out at any moment.
Sure enough, a lady came around the corner.
Here comes our bouncer.
I braced myself but tried to act casual like it was normal to sit amongst other people’s flowers. I’d been caught. But the woman struck up friendly conversation.
I finally broke in. “We probably aren’t supposed to be here.”
“Oh, you’re welcome here. All are welcome. I know the owner, and they love visitors.”
She proceeded to give us a tour of the upper grounds—pointing out the nursery that wafted sweet fragrance, as if there were vats of honey at the end of the trail. Next came a coffee shop and gift store cozied in with flat stone walkways and manicured herb gardens.
Then she directed us to check out the lavender fields in an exquisite lower bed—beyond a thick arbor of mature wisteria vines, down a lofty, sweeping, sturdy yet somewhat rustic set of stairs, to an arbor so grand you could have a formal dinner for fifty people under it. We rushed toward it. Once under cover we twirled as if we’d reached our wonderland. The shade gave us pause to really let loose like no one was around and we owned the place.
The young friend I was with that day is a dear friend’s daughter. Her mom, Julie, was battling cancer and likely couldn’t make it to the top of the hill that day. It is with a heavy heart that I now share, on June 27 Julie passed into glory.
This is a friend who’d shared many ponderings about life and heaven with me. We’d coached our kids in apologetics for years, went on many family outings, celebrated birthdays and graduations. Our daughters had been friends, besties really, since they were three. Taking her daughter to the vineyard that day, prior to her mom’s passing, was a touch of heaven.
I’m missing Julie. Her family is missing her. Many are. I’ve been back to the vineyard and danced under the quiet, densely covered arbor, no longer worried I didn’t belong, because an advocate had accepted us. The kind lady who gave us the tour is an artist who paints landscapes by easel on the premise. Her kindness reminds me of Jesus, who takes us by the hand and welcomes us before the Father. Each time I go there I reflect how at first I had felt like an outsider that wasn’t allowed. Until I was welcomed in.
My friend Julie’s passing has created so many contemplations of heaven for me, producing a desire to be sure all know they are invited in—to meet the Owner, to enjoy the beauty, to have our entrance paid. If someone hasn’t yet given you the tour, allow me. It’s free, but only to us. It cost Jesus dearly. The beauty is ahead. Becoming a Christian means the huge joys are ahead, not necessarily now. What I do experience is daily peace through my relationship with God, through prayer and reading His word—the Bible. As Jesus said, in John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
I have experienced more peace in Jesus than anything I’ve ever known. Peace far beyond what makes sense (Philippians 4:7-8).
So, as I grieve the loss of my friend, please consider:
- Do you know God—do you have peace to enter His turf? To talk with Him like a friend?
- If not, please let’s visit about what it takes to be at peace with God.
- If you know Him, please pray for the Cox family in their time of loss. God is meeting needs. It’s beautiful, but the process isn’t easy, and it’s just begun.
If you knew Julie Cox please feel free to attend her celebration of life service Saturday, August 2nd at Baker Creek Community Church in McMinnville at 10am. RSVP https://subsplash.com/householdoffaithcommunit/lb/ev/+8ntj5fh
For the Generation who seeks Him,
Melinda Poling
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