HEAVEN

Last night I watched the movie "Five People You Meet in Heaven" based on Mitch Albom's book.  Well..... it was interesting to say the least.  I'm still not sure if I liked it even. Uh.... what?????  But, it was Food for Thought and I like that.

It got broken down to this.  In heaven, you will meet strangers, people who sacrificed for you, someone you need to forgive, people you love and someone who holds a strong connection to you.  INTERESTING.  It's not exactly my picture of heaven, nor is it the Bible's picture of heaven. 

But, having said that, obviously there will be strangers in heaven and I don't expect to know everyone, just as I don't know everyone here.  The Bible does say that we will be known as we are known I Corinthians 13:12. 

I do believe that I will meet Someone who sacrificed for me, definitely, no doubt, JESUS.

Well, meeting people who I need to forgive for something done against me or something I have against them.  I am unsure about.  Heaven to me is a place where the resolution is behind you, not yet to be done.  So, that one I'll leave for now.

Definitely, I expect to see people whom I love and have lost here in this world, not the least of being my mom. Can't wait to see my Auntie Margaret & Pap Pap too!!!!! Even time can't erase love. 

Lastly, I am pretty sure I will see people there whom I have had a strong connection with.  Considering that I usually have a strong connection with most anyone who is in my life for any certain amount of time, I'm sure I will be more than blessed in heaven!

The actual places pictured in heaven were interesting too.  All five people were found in five different scenes or types of places.  One was the man's favorite and most familiar place.  Another was the battlefield where his life was changed.  Another was where he met his 'true love'.  The other 2 were less significant but ones of serenity: a snowy woodland and a peaceful pond.  

Of course, my favorite place on earth is near water so I hope that heaven is filled with majestic waterfalls, languid lakes, roaring oceans and tranquil streams.  I love the fluidity of water, how much it moves yet doesn't change its character or consistency. 

Familiar places would be so comforting, like around the dinner table with family, or in a car with my mom, perhaps the foyer of my childhood church home, but definitely the narrow country roads I grew up on.

So much of who we are is where and how we grew up.  I wouldn't trade my childhood for anyone's.  I knew I was loved unconditionally and always felt safe.  In today's world that statement says A LOT.

You know what, though, maybe heaven has more to do with a familiar place than we realize.  Isn't heaven supposed to be your final home?  Aren't you supposed to feel like you're finally home?  And what is more familiar than home?

Heaven, my home.  In the words of Carrie Underwood, this life here is just my Temporary Home.