On this beautiful Good Friday, I’m thrilled to bring you the continuation of my friend Traci Burn’s reflections.

She’s walked a painful path but has found the Lord faithful every step of the way.

Even 24 hours before.

My daughter Anna had one of the best 24 hours of her life before her fatal accident.  

I’m so thankful for that. It gives me great comfort to know how happy she was. Jesus, on the other hand, did not.

I’ve thought a lot about the 24 hours before Anna died and the hours before Jesus died.  

I wrote some thoughts about each of their days:

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24 HOURS BEFORE ANNA DIED:

•  Got the job she wanted.

•  Turned in her resignation letter at the daycare where she was working.

•  Made arrangements for housing with a close friend.

•  Made sure her dad would be available to help with paperwork for her new job.

•  Called or texted just about everybody she knew to tell them her good news.

•  Was extremely happy.

•  Died instantly.                                  

•  John 3:16

 

24 HOURS BEFORE JESUS DIED:

•  Friends abandoned Him.

•  Peter denied Him.

•  People beat Him.

•  People spit on Him.

•  People mocked Him.

•  Nailed to a cross through his hands and feet.

•  Hung in public for hours.                        

•  Luke 23:34

ANNA AND JESUS TOGETHER FOREVER.

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Anna and Jesus’ last 24 hours couldn’t have been more different.  

The 24 hours before Weyland and I heard the news of Anna’s accident were also quite different from Christ’s.  

Weyland and I were having a wonderful day. We were in Atlanta eating lunch at a restaurant 73 stories above the street with a glass-walled dining room that slowly revolved a full 360 degrees. We could see for miles.

Weyland took out his cell phone and started snapping pictures. When I asked why, he said, “Anna would love this view.” He sent the pictures to Anna’s cell phone.

We had no idea that Anna was already in Heaven with a view that was far beyond the one we were experiencing.

I could say we just stumbled upon that restaurant. We hadn’t planned on eating there. We didn’t have reservations. We’d never even heard about it or its view. But looking back, I know it was Jesus who guided us to that particular restaurant.

He let us experience just a hint of what our precious Anna was already experiencing.

Anna didn’t know she was enjoying her last 24 hours here on earth. None of us really knows when our last 24 hours will be. Except Christ. He knew.

Since before the foundations of the earth, He knew exactly the day and the hour He’d walk to the cross so we could spend eternity with Him.

The most important thing we must know is where we’ll spend eternity when our last 24 hours are up.

Anna knew. I know, too. And one day I’ll join her and the Lord there.

I hope you know before your last 24 hours. Romans 10:9-11.

Until next time,

Traci  

Christ’s “24 Hours Before” changed everything forever.

Without them how could any of us find comfort in death? What a difference a day made. 

If you haven’t placed your faith in Christ yet, there’s no better time than now.

^“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’” ~ Romans 10:9-11

Spend this Easter as a child of God and co-heir with Christ.

Please don’t wait.

We don’t know when our “24 Hours Before” will be.

[bctt tweet=”Christ’s ”24 Hours Before” changed everything forever. #Easter #Christ”]

If you’ve missed any of Traci’s posts, check out Thoughts to Think. She’s been traveling down a path every parent dreads, but Christ has filled her with hope and thankfulness. 

Follow along with Traci and be inspired to know Jesus the way she does.

Traci Burns is a wife, mom, and messenger of hope and healing. She never planned to be a blogger. She also never planned to live a story that must be told. Now, wherever Traci can, she shares the peace and comfort she’s found — even in the midst of pain — in a God who’s good all the time. She spreads the news with joy and laughter that Jesus Christ, the One who stills the storms, wants to steer our boat. Traci and her husband Weyland live in Lexington, SC. Their two sons live in the Greenville, SC area. Their daughter lives in heaven.