"An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven for you."

I Peter 1:4

I did not inherit Warner Hall from my 11th

great grandfather, Augustine Warner 

in Norfolk, VA area.

What's the first thing you think of as an inheritance?  For me it is the image of a family being called in to hear the reading of the will.  In fiction, it is often depicted as a source of surprise.  Perhaps it is the meekest maid or the faithful butler were shocked to find they were written undeservedly perhaps into the will.  Believe you me, I have no personal experience of this.  The inheritance I was passed down was to receive was that of a godly heritage.  Sure, as my parents household was reduced to enter assisted living, I received such things as dishes, silverware, a couple paintings and a couple pieces of furniture.  But there were no sibling squabbles over who got what.  

I did not inherit any of these, row houses called Captain's Row,

built by Captain Harper, my 6th great grandfather, 

in Alexandria, VA, for his large family and his ship captains.

We each chose what was most important to us.  For me it was the shelf and matching small desk that was made by Mr. Bray, a man from my parents first church who created copies of antique pieces, which after nearly seventy years are nearly antiques now and not just reproductions.  Then I chose the small end table from my great grandmother's home in Georgetown, Texas from the mid 1800's.  My father thought it had been crafted by my great, great grandfather, but I do not know.  Its style is a period piece typical of Texas at that time.  I also chose two special oil paintings done by my grandfather that were in our home all the years growing up. All these are things of beauty.  However, they are corruptible and will someday fade away.  

I did not inherit the home of Charles Harper, 

my 3rd great grandfather in Ivy, VA.,

or the Meriweather Lewis home where he retired 

with his daughter and husband after losing his eyesight,

also in Ivy, Virginia, near Charlottesville.

But we all have inherited the family home, the one Jesus went to prepare for us.  Our place is already reserved for us.  As Adam Clarke reminds us, "It is called an inheritance because it belongs to the children of God.  Eternal life cannot be a gift to any but these; for, even in heaven...if children, then heirs; if not children, then not heirs."  

I did not inherit the home of the Harpers, 

my 2X great grandfather in Georgetown, TX.

There is no decay, contrary to the things of this world.  "It's deterioration is impossible."  In contrast,  many in the recent Camp Fire, victims were reminded that things perish and are gone in a blink of an eye.  

I did not inherit the home of my great grandfather,

Bud Robinson in Pasadena, CA.

So, at the reading of His will, it is that none should perish but have everlasting life.  None of us have earned our inheritance.  It is a free gift, undeserved, shockingly so.  

 I did not inherit my parents home in Lake City, Colorado.

But I will inherit the home reserved for me in heaven.

It's in His will.