At Home In Heaven

I laid my hand on the old minister’s shoulder, closed my eyes, and prayed aloud, reminding God of Harold’s long and faithful service, asking that the angels would make his journey quick and smooth, and that God would receive his servant with great joy. When I finished the prayer, I turned to rejoin the family. . . .

Colton peered earnestly up into Harold’s face and said, “It’s going to be okay. The first person you’re going to see is Jesus.”

—HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, 119

Todd

Have you ever flown somewhere, maybe at holiday time, when the airport’s arrival area is jam-packed with happily expectant friends and family members—but no one’s there to meet your flight? I’ve done a lot of traveling since Heaven Is for Real was published, and I can tell you, there’s a big difference in coming into a bustling airport where you don’t know anyone—and arriving at an airport where someone comes striding up with a smiling face, eagerly greeting you and welcoming you to that place.

Heaven is also a big, busy place—bigger than anyplace we’ve ever seen. Isn’t it reassuring to know that Jesus will come and take you there when it’s your time to go? You won’t have to look around, trying to find him or trying to find your way to heaven. Picture him right there, extending his hand and welcoming you. You don’t have to program your spiritual GPS or anything!

Equally comforting is the fact that Jesus will also be there to welcome our loved ones into glory: elderly grandparents whose earthly dementia kept them from finding their way from one room to the next, innocent children who’d never gone anywhere alone before, beloved family members who may have been snatched from this world to the next by accident or violence. Jesus will be there, his face aglow, his confidence contagious, telling our friends and family members what Colton told our dear friend Harold Greer: “It’s going to be okay. The first person you’re going to see is Jesus.”

The moment we arrive in heaven, all our fear, all our worries will be removed. And from that moment on, throughout eternity, it’s going to be okay.

I joke with Colton that whenever a woman comes up to him somewhere to talk about his story, he knows he’s gonna get the dreaded “feeling” question: “Colton, what did heaven feel like?”

It’s a joke for us guys because, you know, talking about our feelings isn’t something we’re real comfortable with. (And if you think it’s hard to get a grown man to talk about his feelings, just try getting an adolescent boy to open up!)

But Colton expects the question now, and his answer comes honestly and easily. He tells the simple truth: “When I was in heaven, it felt like I was home.”

When you leave this earth, are you leaving home or going home?

I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

—John 14:3 NIV