How often do you think of heaven? I find myself thinking about it A LOT as of late…. dreaming and imagining what it will be like. Before all this happened I knew that I would eventually go there—but I didn’t really think of it much or long for it. Now with our journey I find myself desiring to know more. I think it may be my way of comforting myself knowing where my son will be…..what he has to look forward to- ultimately what I have to look forward to.
I decided to get the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It has provided some new insight and given me some things to ponder--If anything this book has built up excitement and anticipation of the New Earth and how it’s going to be the most amazing physical place—full of beautiful natural wonders, brilliant light, a cozy home, wonderful meals with those we love, and getting to see/talk/spend time with Jesus. Our best day on earth will not even come close to our worst day in heaven—What a promise!!!!
While reading the book further, I took great comfort in this one particular section. It was talking about how Jesus will be able to have our dreams be fulfilled and missed opportunities gained...it hit home….Alcorn writes, “Although not directly stated and I am therefore speculating, It’s possible that parents whose hearts were broken through the death of their children will not only be reunited with them but also experience the joy of seeming them grow up….in a perfect world.” No one knows what heaven will be like—but that section brought such peace and a deep hope to press on. I believe I will get to see Benaiah play, I will get to see him “grow”, I will get to see him interact with his best friend-Jesus--I will get to watch them talk and giggle, still coming up with little pranks to pull on mommy. I believe Benaiah will get to play basketball with his daddy and ride four-wheelers while having amazing adventures….I believe it will happen- it’s just put on pause for a while. And even if this is specifically not the case, then I have to believe that my Savior has something even better in store for us….He will not disappoint us. I have to believe that Jesus loves us all so much and wants to share such amazing gifts—that there will be no part of me that will continue to ache for what we missed here on earth.
If it has to be—if this is God’s will for our son- then at least I have the promise and hope of heaven. God WILL NOT let us down. Call me crazy, but I deeply believe my son already knows the Lord....I believe my son realizes his purpose on earth was meant to be brief, yet rich and full. I believe my son is teaching me that death is not something to be feared…but something to have hope in. For it’s not going to be our end—it’s just going to be the beginning...
"Oh Lord give me strength to remember the end goal of heaven in my daily walk. Help me to follow in my son’s example to simply know you, spend time with you, and trust in you. Help me to love and believe like a child. Help me to trust in your promise of eternal goodness--that you have the heart that desires to bless us beyond what we can fathom. Help me to focus on all that Benaiah will gain, not what we will have postponed. Help our family to keep loving you….Keep trusting in you…..Remembering your promise…. "
New Heavens and a New Earth- Isaiah 65: 17-25
17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.
20 "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.
21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hand.
23 They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.
17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.
20 "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.
21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hand.
23 They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.
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