Lesson Two: The things I cannot take with me.

One day Corrie and her mother go to serve food to a poorer family in the neighborhood. She is about 7, and while visiting she notices the baby not moving in her crib. She reached to touch the baby, finding that she is lifeless and cold. This haunts her the rest of the day, and affects her eating as well as her sleeping. When her father came to tuck her and her sister in that night he discovered what was wrong. With this, Corrie began to beg her father to never die and leave her because she needs him.

"Corrie, he began gently, 'when you and I go to Amsterdam--when do I give you your ticket?"
"Why just before we get on the train."
"Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need--just in time."


Fast forward ten years or more. Her aunt, who had lived with them had diabetes and she had been given the news that she would only have a few weeks left to live. In the attempt to comfort her, the family began to tell her what a full life she had lived, naming all of the accomplishments...

"Tante Jans put her hands over her eyes and began to cry. 'Empty, empty!' she choked at last through her tears. 'How can we bring anything to God? What does He care for our little tricks and trinkets?'

And then as we listened in disbelief she lowered her hands and, with tears still coursing down her face, whispered, "Dear Jesus, I thank You that we must come with empty hands. I thank You that You have done all--all--on the cross, and that all we need in life or death is to be sure of this.'

Mama threw her arms around her and they clung together. But I stood rooted to the spot, knowing that I had seen a mystery.

It was Father's train ticket, given at the moment itself."

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'Empty-handed, but alive in Your hands.'

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No matter how much I stress about what will come of my life. The fear of not making a difference, about not being successful.

At the end of my life, these things will still leave me empty-handed.

A great reminder of what I can and cannot take with me when I leave. Am I making good investments of my time and money?

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"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all those who have loved his appearing. -2 Timothy 4:6-8