Welcome my friend! I’ve been reflecting upon Time lately because as I shared last week the theme for this year is Season.
We also discovered that the original Hebrew meaning of season is ‘an appointed time’.
This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the most poignant Experience of all experiences.
Which I’m excited to share with you over a cuppa today.
So grab yourself a mug of your favourite hot drink, get comfy & we’ll begin.
Why do I call the last forty years bonus years?
Recently, I celebrated another birthday.
As I chatted with those present that day, I shared that this year marks the fortieth anniversary of my bonus years.
I noticed all became thoughtful as I shared that in these bonus years I have been blessed & privileged to have had a fifth child, another daughter. See all my daughters grow into amazing women & Mamas. With the added blessing of stepdaughters in my life.
I am enjoying time with my grandchildren, all 13 of them! Watching them grow into wonderful people (both big & little, yes I’m bias!) some already in adulthood & married.
Over the last forty years God has taken me to many parts of the Asia/Pacific region to share this Experience of experiences.
And it’s now shared across the globe through the internet.
Yes, they have been very blessed years indeed!
But you may be thinking as to why I call them bonus years.
Well forty years ago as I was giving birth to my fourth child, my only son Benjamin, who was sadly born sleeping (stillborn) because of a Placental Abruption causing my own heart to stop & clinically die.
The Experience of experiences…
The following is what I experienced when I died;
I was in Heaven instantly, the peace and serenity was all encompassing.
I thought to myself how amazingly beautiful and pristine everything was & there was a clarity to everything…
I remembered thinking how much I really loved it there. All the colors were crisp, vivid and sharp to my sight.
I found I was walking on a path, then I stopped and stood for awhile to look around.
I had my own thoughts and feelings, which at that point were mainly awe, joy and supreme comfort, peace and serenity.
I can only describe it as being enveloped in the pure essence of God…
I was not worried, fearful, anxious or concerned for anything, as I had the knowledge, that God was looking after everyone that were left behind including my two little daughters.
Yes, I was thinking of my little girls and there was a complete and fulfilled trust in God.
It wasn’t like I had to try and trust or give Him that trust, it was the complete essence of trust and knowledge.
That He had them in His care and in that there was no need to be in any concern whatsoever.
I then noticed that the path I was standing upon was bright and in a setting that I can only describe as similar to an English country village.
There were buildings to the right of me and fields off to the north west, there were people to my right standing and chatting amongst themselves in front of a building that had an awning hanging from its front.
I had at that point the knowledge of these people but had not known many of them here in this life.
My daughter Candy (who had passed away twelve months beforehand) and my son Benjamin were amongst them…
I also had the knowledge that Jesus was waiting for me just up ahead in a garden and that it was important to go to Him and not veer off the path to converse with anyone.
I noticed a billboard on the left of the path and a stone bridge going over a river off to my left.
I knew that it was important that I continued on the path that was in front of me to the garden.
So I started walking towards where Jesus was waiting for me.
As I passed those who were gathered together on my right, I heard one say to the other,
“That’s Jennifer, I didn’t know she was coming today”.
As I continued along the path, the foliage on either side became thicker and hung more over the pathway, brushing my arms as I neared the garden.
Just as I got to the garden entrance, I experienced the sudden sensation that someone had gently grabbed either side of my upper arms from behind and turned me 180 degrees in the opposite direction.
I started traveling down the same path I just had walked upon.
However this time with speed and I didn’t have control over this action nor the speed at which I was traveling.
I had the knowledge though that I was being sent back to this life and then I heard Jesus words behind me saying the following,
“It’s not your time yet Jennifer, go and tell my people to get ready, for I am coming again soon.”
However, I didn’t want to leave this amazing place nor the blanketing comfort of God’s presence and love…
Suddenly, my physical eyes opened to see my physician standing over me with something in each hand.
He yelled out to the rest of the medical team, who were standing back from the bed;
“We have her back…” Ref
Full story Here
Yes, forty bonus years indeed!
You can see why each year since that Heaven experience I consider bonus years.
So my friend are you ready for Jesus’ return?
And are you assured of going to Heaven when your time comes?
If not please join me here in Prayer.
Until next time,
Jennifer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com
Thank you for your beautiful words. Our grandson and his wife gave birth to a full term baby boy last June. He was tragically stillborn ~ placental abruption. It has been so heart wrenching for all of us. I know we get through this, but, never get over it. It still hurts so much.
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Awww Judy, I’m deeply saddened to hear about the devastating loss of your dear little great grandson.
It does take time to grieve which is unique to each person but we never forget those little ones who went before us.
Sending you a big hug my friend…
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Thank you for sharing your story of how you have savored your bonus years!
I like your WOTY too
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Thank you Barb.
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Jennifer-
This is such an amazing story. God gave you the gift of bonus years and what I know about you, you are living them for His glory. I am awed by our amazing God!
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Thank you Mary for your kind words. I’m standing in awe with you! Lovely having you drop by today my friend. 😊
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Bonus years indeed, Jennifer. I remember reading your amazing story. I know you treasure each bonus birthday. My husband in a couple of days will have sixteen bonus years. To God be the glory! Happy birthday, my friend ♥️
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Thank you Pam! It’s so wonderful that Butch too has had bonus years, sharing life with you & seeing your three beautiful grandchildren arrive! What a joyous time! God is good! ❤️
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…every day is a bonus.
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That they are Tom.
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Wow. Just…wow.
Yes, friend, I’ve been there too,
thought I was about to die,
trapped in a snarling blue
and suddenly quite hostile sky
in a badly broken aeroplane
that I’d flown through power lines
(my fault, in my I was youth insane
at almost all the vital times).
I felt yes, a kind of sorrow,
but also curiosity,
for I knew of a tomorrow
that was waiting there for me,
and thus I wasted no more breath
in an un-needed fear of death.
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Thank you Andrew for that amazing poem. I’m glad you found the Lord my friend & that He was there with you through the insanity of your youth & since.
I too had some crazy years in my youth & am glad He kept me from my unwise choices through those years. Blessings…
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What a beautiful experience, Jennifer. So thankful God has given you 40 bonus years. (And here’s to many more.) 🙂
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Thank you Lois. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing – this is such a powerful story!
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Thank you Lesley 😊
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What a beautiful experience and solemn opportunity to spend time in the presence of God and receive the great commission in person! May we all live as if it’s our last chance to spread the good news.
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Thank you Anita, it was an amazing experience.
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What a beautiful thing to reflect on all the blessings God has brought into your life during those bonus years. May He give you many more.
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Thank you Donna.
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Jennifer, I’m thankful the Lord has given you forty bonus years! I am also thankful for the gift of knowing you and learning your heart through your words. Thank you for sharing the blessings and opportunities God has given you in these forty years!
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Aww thank you Jeanne for your kind words. It’s been a gift to know you too sweet friend. 💝
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I love your perspective and testimony! It is powerful!
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Thank you! Lovely having you drop by today 😊
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