What child doesn't love birthdays? As the time approaches for this special occasion the question is usually asked, "What do you want for you birthday?" Usually the child will present a long list of items that they think they can't live without.
I did that as a kid and imagine you did too. I still do it as an old man. As my birthday approaches Keva will inevitably ask me that same questions. My answers now are a bit different than when I was younger. I'll give her an item or two but usually it will be "It really doesn't matter". And you know, I like those gifts better because they are a surprise. Because when the gift is a surprise it carries a lot more excitement than if I know what is wrapped up in the bright paper or in the decorative bag.
As I sat in the swing this morning and watched the hummingbirds drink the red nectar from our hummingbird feeder, enjoyed the morning air and the sights across the fields I thought about heaven. I don't know much about heaven. Oh, the Word gives us a little information. We are told about streets of gold and gates of pearl and such and I don't mean to talk down about those things. It will be fantastic. But sometimes I think I'd really like to know what heaven is all about.
What will we do in heaven? Will there be work to do? Now some people might enjoy just sitting around and hanging their feet off a cloud and doing nothing for eternity but I'm really not looking forward to anything like that. I like to work. I've got to be doing something. That's just the way my Dad and Mom brought me up. Surely God will have some field to plow or some grass to cut or something that needs fixin'.
And what about a place to stay. I've never been one to covet mansions or the finer things in life. Heck, look at our house. Our floors are covered with 1 x 6 boards, The ceiling in the new room that I'm trying to finish (for the last 2 years) is covered with rusty tin and I'm good with that. Building my mansion "next door to Jesus" seems a little bit much for me. Will there be building codes...I mean, my mansion compared to His would be like building an out house next to the White House.
I've thought about the sights we will see. The music we will hear. (As much as I love four part harmony, I think it will be way out-done by the billion part harmony of heaven. And our ears will be able to distinguish between all the parts.) What will the fruit from the tree of life taste like? What will Jesus serve at the marriage supper?
Of course when I think about these things I remember the scripture that tells us, "Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him" and I realize that you and I simply cannot imagine what our new home is going to be like.
And for me, that's perfectly alright. Because if I could say "Hey, Father would you give me a golden sidewalk and a front door made with pearls and may the water from the river of life taste as good as Keva's sweet tea on a hot summer day and when I look out the window of my mansion would you let there be acres of green pasture land with a big herd of black angus cattle? And my loving, Heavenly Father provided all that stuff for me, then where would my surprise be when I get there.
When Dad or Mom or Keva would buy me a gift, a gift that I didn't ask for, it was always greater than if I picked it out myself. Why is that? They know what I like. They picked it out just for me and they love me enough to give me the best they can buy.
I can't wait to open my package of Heaven. I can't wait for Jesus to take me by the hand and say "Come on let me show you what I've picked out for you". I can't wait to walk in and hear "SUPRISE!!!" and look around the room and see my Mom and Dad and Grand mothers and Grand father and all the friends and family who have gone on before jump out from behind a star or a cloud with smiles on their faces and pure joy in their hearts. What a wonderful, perfect gift that will be.
Hey, I want to invite you to my birthday party. Will you meet me there?
