The Reunion

A few months ago, I had heard of a book called, "90 Minutes in Heaven", and I had a driven urge to read it. Back then, the book was good and inspiring, but I never really took the time to dwell on the written words. Tonight as I was coming home, I thought, "Wouldn't it be so cool to actually have a little glimpse of what my dad is experiencing right now?" I thought back to one of the chapters in the book and thought I should share it with you.

Joy pulsated through me as I looked around, and at that moment I became aware of a large crowd. They stood in front of a brilliant, ornate gate. I have no idea how far away they were; such things as distance didn't matter. As the crowd rushed toward me, I saw the people I had known during my lifetime. Their presence seemed absolutely natural! I had never imagined anyone being as happy as they all were. Their faces radiated a serenity I had never seen on Earth. All were full of life and expressed radiant joy.
He then talks about meeting his grandpa and describes it as this: My grandfather released me, and as I stared into his face, ecstatic bliss overwhelmed me. I didn't think about his heart attack or death because I couldn't get past the joy of our reunion.
I get frustrated describing what heaven was like, because I can't begin to put into words what it looked like, sounded like, and felt like- It was perfect. The gate wasn't made of pearls, but was pearlescent- perhaps irridescent may be more descriptive. The gate glowed and shimmered. I paused and stared at the glorious hues and shimmering shades. The luminescense dazzled me, and I would have been content to stay at that spot. Yet I stepped forward as if being escorted into God's presence. I paused just outside the gate, and I could see inside. It was like a city with paved streets- constructed of literal gold! Everything I saw was bright- the brightest colors my eyes had ever held- so powerful that no earthly human could take in this brilliance.

As I take in this wonder, I dream about the reunion my dad and I will one day share. To see him basking in God's glory, with that ear-to-ear smile dancing across his face- that scene will be worth every tear I have ever cried on this Earth!!! Just thinking about it gives me a sense of peace and joy that I have never felt before... I know that day may seem far off to me, but until then I'll praise God for all of the life he gave my daddy- for all of the trials, struggles, and love because that's what made him who he was. And that life he lived gave me the opportunity to be his daughter. One that will be his hands and feet for him for as long as God gives me breath.

I received a necklace from Mark & Amy that goes right along with this blog. The necklace is called, The Reunion Heart, and the poem that follows is this:

Since heaven has become your home
I sometimes feel I'm so alone;
and though we now are far apart
you hold a big piece of my heart.
I never knew how much I'd grieve
when it was time for you to leave,
or just how much my heart would ache
from that one fragment you would take.
God lets this tender hole remain
reminding me we'll meet again,
and one day all the pain will cease
when He restores this missing piece.
He'll turn to joy my every tear,
and when I wear this necklace near
it will become my simple way
to treasure our REUNION DAY.

~JM~