A young man worked diligently on the finishing touches of a small cabin. It was built in a pretty little meadow with pine trees and aspens bordering it, and mountain wildflowers scattered everywhere.

It was hot. The back of his shirt was damp and drips of sweat ran down his flushed, tan face. He didn’t mind. Every once in a while he would stand back and look proudly at his work. His face would light up with a smile as the vision of bringing his bride home would fill his mind. He had waited a long time. Surely soon the day would come when he could go get her and bring her here. Surely soon… With that thought he would step back to work with renewed energy, determined to quickly finish the little house.

He looked at his hands as they held the hammer and one of the last nails to be pounded. His hands had scars on them from his work. He grinned at the memory of when his bride had seen the scars and had given a little troubled cry at the thought of the pain that had caused them. “It’s all right,” He had assured her, with love in his eyes. “The pain was worth it. These scars will always be here; a sign that I love you.”

He moved around to the back of the cabin and saw, with great excitement, that his father was walking up the trail. Maybe…?! As he walked closer, the father looked at his son’s face and smiled at what he saw there. There was eagerness, great longing, incredible love, and a little painful agony. He understood. It hurt to be apart. He laid his hand on his son’s strong shoulder and smiled knowingly. “Soon, my son. I promise it will be soon.”

In a different place, far away, another Man worked. He too was diligently preparing a place for His Bride. The surrounding area was incredibly beautiful. He couldn’t wait to show it to His Bride. He knew that she would love it.

It was perfect weather. The Man was comfortable as He worked. He grinned as He thought of the past. He’d certainly done plenty of hard work and sweating earlier. That was all right. It was worth it.

He looked down at His hands. They had scars on them from His work. He smiled at the memory. The work that had caused the scars had definitely been painful, but it was worth it. It was all worth it. The scars would always be there; a sign of His love for her.

He stepped back a looked at His work. Oh, she would love it…their special place, just for the two of them.

He looked up and saw, with great excitement, that His Father was coming up the trail. Maybe…?! As He walked closer, the Father looked at His Son’s face and smiled at what He saw there. There was eagerness, great longing, incredible love, and a little painful agony. He understood. It hurt to be apart. He laid His hand on His Son’s strong shoulder and smiled knowingly. “Soon, my Son. I promise it will be soon.”

“In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3