My six year-old Josh has become obsessed with roller coasters recently. Although he’s never ridden anything more exciting than the caterpillar ride that goes around in a circle at the county fair, he is sure he’s big and brave enough to do something a little more daring this summer. The other day he asked me, “Mom, are there any roller coasters that jump?” I told him I didn’t think there were. He pondered that for a minute and said, “I bet God could make one.” I have resolved never to argue with my kids about what God may or may not make, so I told him, “Maybe there will be one in heaven.” Josh started giggling and said, “Oh! I’ve got to be SO GOOD.”
Heaven is such a mysterious place to me. I don’t know what it will be like. The Bible tells me it is a place God is preparing for me, so it must be good. I love to dream with my kids about what that might mean.
Heaven used to be scarier to me until two of my babies who never lived to draw breath outside my body went to live there. This world used to seem more perfect to me until I watched my friend weep over the battling body of her child with cancer. When you trust God to make good out of the terrible things you begin to find a longing for heaven growing in your heart. I’m thankful to pass that desire along to my son even if it’s just because he wants to experience jumping roller coasters. As this world breaks his heart, may he be ever more drawn to the perfection of God’s plan and the joy that can only be found in our redemption.