I’m going out on a limb here…literally.

I’ve been asked to MC  a “fashion show” at church, where the outfits modeled (and those brought by the women who attend) will go to women who are once again entering the work force after having lived on the streets.

I was looking up different scripture references to “clothing” and “garments” in the bible.  Of course, the first things that came to mind were the “fig leaves” that Adam and Eve used to cover themselves in the Garden of Eden.  The first piece of “clothing”.

And now I digress slightly (please forgive me – this is how my mind works).

Looking at Genesis 3 and the Garden of Eden intrigues me.  The Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil, the only tree that Adam and Eve were not allowed to eat from, was in the middle of the garden.  They did, of course, eat from it and changed history by introducing sin and rebellion to a once perfect world. Because of that, they were taken from the Garden and were not allowed to enjoy and taste the Tree of Life, the life that would have allowed them to live forever. They had chosen momentary pleasure over everlasting life.

The Tree of Life isn’t mentioned again until the last book of the bible, Revelation.  Once again, it will reside in Paradise, or Heaven.  We’re told that it will bear fruit every month, fruit to be eaten and enjoyed, and its leaves will be for healing.  I love that. A picture of complete restoration and intimacy and community with God.  Where the fruit was once withheld because it of sin, it will be freely and generously given and shared.  Where leaves were once used for hiding, they will be used for healing.

In the Garden, leaves were used to cover up shame. In heaven we will be “clothed in righteousness”, to reveal God’s glory.

I could go on and on with this.  So amazing and fascinating and exciting.  But I just got a call as I am writing this that my Grandma just went to be with Jesus, so my mind once again wanders and goes to her enjoying all of the above.  She is having her first taste of fruit from the Tree of Life.  She is wearing her new outfit of “white linen”.  She is experiencing the leaves of healing.  And she is for the first time enjoying the face to face presence of her Daddy and King.  My precious Grandma has a new address – Paradise.

Revelation 22:2 – On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 19:8 – She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

Isaiah 61:3 – To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.