Mar
14
2017
The Armoire
Posted in Heaven 2 Comments
I have a Robert Redford armoire.
At least that is what I teasingly say.
There is some truth to that statement.
Technically, it is not an exaggeration.
Years ago, I received a catalog in the mail.
When I opened the catalog, I saw a picture of Robert Redford.
I knew the actor from some of the classic movies in which he starred.
I found myself intrigued by what the catalog offered.
I did not need anything but I kept the catalog.
The artistry was simple and beautiful.
Everything was unique.
Everything had the feel of the mountains and the outdoors.
Sundance was founded in 1969 by Robert Redford when he purchased land at the base of beautiful 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. This pristine place of natural beauty radiates splendors of giant pines and aspen trees, gurgling streams, sweet fragrant air, and fields of wildflowers. It has become the Sundance Village. The goal of the Sundance Village is to offer a community art and nature that would foster artistic pursuits and recreational activity while preserving naturally beautiful and unique environment of Sundance. At the base of the Village was a tiny store which guests would frequently write to, requesting special items they had seen while visiting Sundance. The first edition of Sundance Catalog was mailed in 1989 to offer “the kinds of things that we have been privileged to collect, many of them handcrafted exclusively for Sundance.” When you purchase something from this catalog, we appreciate the fact that the prime reason is enjoyment for yourself. But you are also supporting American craftspeople and efforts to enhance and preserve the environment. (Sundance catalog)
It was right around the time I was looking for an armoire.
I have a lovely armoire in our family room that my husband made for me.
This armoire was to be for our bedroom.
This armoire was not a necessity but it was something I always looked for just in case.
Another catalog arrived in the mail.
As I was paging through, I stopped at the home furnishings section.
There is was.
My armoire.
It was exactly what I pictured in my mind’s eye.
If truth be told, I could picture Lucy Pevensie hiding in such an armoire.
I could imagine the door closing and the back of the armoire opening to Narnia.
If I could picture it, I knew my children could picture it as well.
I showed my husband and asked him what he thought.
He liked it and thought the price was acceptable.
His only concern was the shipping cost.
Something that large and that heavy was bound to be expensive to ship.
I promised him that I would investigate all of that the following day.
To our surprise, it was not unreasonable to ship the armoire to our home.
I just had to be very sure I liked it, going on nothing but a picture in a catalog.
That was my husband’s stipulation: once it is here, it stays.
I knew it was what I had been looking for so I placed the order.
Each armoire is handmade.
About ten weeks after my order was placed, the delivery date was set.
I could not wait until the armoire came.
The day arrived.
I received a call to tell me when to expect the delivery men.
Soon the doorbell rang and my Robert Redford armoire was in my driveway.
The delivery men came inside to inspect where the armoire was to go.
Upstairs, to our bedroom, I said pointing to the left.
Up THOSE stairs, they asked incredulously.
Yes, those stairs, I answered a bit confused.
Then it dawned on me.
Our front staircase is a curved staircase.
The men were envisioning themselves carrying my Robert Redford armoire to my bedroom.
I don’t think it’s going to fit, one of them said.
It has to fit, I answered quickly, because once it is here, it stays.
I saw them exchange looks.
They took measurements of my staircase.
They had to take into consideration the curve along the way.
They walked out to the delivery truck mumbling to each other.
I saw the armoire come down my front walkway.
I was so excited to see it in our bedroom.
It barely fit through the front door.
Now I was getting concerned.
You sure you don’t want to leave this armoire downstairs, one of the men said.
No, upstairs will be just fine, I said with a little bit of a tone that surprised even me.
They lifted the armoire, trying to clear the wooden banister.
The curved staircase was going to present a major problem.
They realized that we have a bridge that goes over our foyer and family room.
Our bedroom is on one side of the bridge.
The other bedrooms are on the other side.
We can lift the armoire up and over the bridge, one of the men said.
I would prefer that you move it up the stairs, I said.
Lifting such a heavy piece over a railing could be disastrous.
The railing could break and the armoire would fall.
I imagined my Robert Redford armoire crashing into the basement.
The men decided that they would lift the heavy armoire over the banister.
They basically had to lift this heavy piece of furniture above their heads.
They had to do this up the entire circular staircase.
I prayed the entire time; not for my armoire, but for the men who were red-faced and sweating.
Finally, with one more well deserved grunt, the armoire was upstairs.
I thought the men would stop on the bridge to rest.
I was wrong.
They were determined to get this armoire where it needed to go.
There was not a scratch on the armoire.
There was only one little mark on the wall.
The men were exhausted.
I was so incredibly grateful to them.
I offered them lots of water and something that was baking in the kitchen.
I gave them something for all their hard work.
I know they were very glad to leave my house.
It took them an hour and a half to get the armoire in our bedroom.
As they were leaving, one of the men said, That armoire is there permanently.
The only way you are ever going to get that downstairs is by hoisting it over the balcony.
I thanked the both of them as they left.
I decided that I would not tell my husband that part; we can figure all of that out later.
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29)
Jesus had a glorified body after His resurrection.
Jesus came into the room where His disciples were, even though the doors were locked.
Jesus’ resurrected body looks like our bodies will look in heaven, except Jesus still has His scars.
Jesus’ scars are there forever so that we will always see the extent of His love for us.
There was no need to figure out how Jesus would enter the room.
There was no assistance needed.
Jesus, in His glorified body, was able to move about freely and even eat with His disciples.
Jesus is the Firstfruit, showing those who are in Him what awaits us in heaven.
In the Garden, Jesus sweat drops of blood.
Jesus did all the work on the cross.
It is finished.
Once we arrive in our heavenly Home, we are staying.
Maranatha.
Come Lord Jesus.
How blessed we are to look forward to our forever home!
Amen, Sue.
Once we are with our Lord Jesus in heaven, we are there to stay!
Gina