For twelve years, we have grieved the earthly loss of our son, Joshua. After he ran ahead to Heaven, I scoured God’s word, longing to learn as much as I could about it. Scripture doesn’t tell us much about what it will be like. For whatever reason, God has chosen not to tell us much about Heaven. Maybe it is because we could not fathom it. The only thing that I can say with certainty is that Heaven is going to be amazing!
One of the many things that grief has taught me is that God blesses us with glimpses of Heaven on earth. I imagine it delights Him as much as it delights us to experience these sweet moments.
One of my favorite glimpses of Heaven happened when I returned home after being away for five days. My daughter and our then two-year-old grandson were in the garage. I stepped out of the truck, and said, “Hi, Grayson!” His sweet little head popped up from the chair, and a smile spread across his face as he yelled, “Mimi!” Those little toddler legs scrambled out of that chair and raced across the grass barefooted as fast as he could with arms pumping. As soon as he got to me, he launched himself into my arms, and squeezed my neck so tight. He kept saying, “Mimi! Mimi!” After he squeezed my neck, he looked at me, put his little hands on my cheeks, and giggled. I said, “Grayson, I missed you!” He replied, “I missed you so much, Mimi,” and then squeezed my neck again. Ten minutes later I was still holding him, he was still giggling, and he was still squeezing my neck. If anyone came close to us, he would call them by name, say, “Mimi” and giggle.
There is not a feeling like it in the world.
Heaven is going to feel that way. The excitement of seeing those we love and the giggles of being with them again. Even better, we will have the peace of knowing that we will never be separated again. I long for that day. Heaven is not just a hope; it is a promise to those who follow Christ!
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20
With Eyes on the Cross 