Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Then God told Noah and his sons, ‘I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth. Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.’
Then God said, ‘I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.’”
Genesis 9: 8-13 NLT)“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’ And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’”
Revelation 21: 3-5a (NLT)
If that’s what Heaven’s made of…
Hannah was only ten. Ellie was five.
Lynda and I were with our two granddaughters, waiting for the annual Christmas pageant at Idlewild Baptist in Tampa to begin.
Talking there with Hannah, Lynda had just learned that Hannah had been told by someone that God was going to flood the earth again.
Lynda described Hannah as anxious and asked me to talk with her.
As we waited for the pageant to begin, we reread the story of God directing Noah to build the ark for his family and seven pairs, male and female, of all animals and birds of the heavens before the flood came.
And we carefully read together Genesis 9:11 where God said to Noah—”Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”
No more floods from God. With His rainbow as His sign of that promise.
And my precious Hannah let out a big sigh of relief.
Radiating her smile once again, she then asked— “Gran, what is Heaven like?”
With our acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord, we will each be assured of finding out. (Romans 10: 9-10)
Yet, not having made the trip yet, I could only speculate with an answer.
But based on the plethora of God’s promises in His Word, and the faithfulness of His never-ending love for all of us, I offered this.
I asked her to think of all the people she loved—family, friends, others she knew, or knew of—whether here now or have passed on.
All the pets she loved. The places, plants, trees, landscapes she loved. Anything, and all things of God’s creation she loved.
Things she loved to do. All the simple things and extraordinary things, and all the moments and memories which brought her joy.
Anyone or anything which brought a smile to her heart and face.
And anything else I forgot to mention.
Then I asked her to multiply all of that which she had now gathered in her heart and mind, by at least ten.
And remember, too, that God will be there.
Another smile from her suggested I did well.
Maybe I got close to describing what Heaven’s like.
I have a feeling, though, I understated it.
In His Name–Scott
Enjoy this video and song of “In Heaven” by Andy Griggs.
Thank you Scott for sharing your response to your granddaughter’s question.
Yes, If that’s what Heaven is made of, then I am not afraid to die. And the part that resonates with me the most is from the book of Revelation- God will be there.
Amen & Amen!