Heaven, Pt 6, Meeting Who?

"Mommy!" The sound of little ones call out to me loud and clear. Although I'm not sure I recognize the voices, I know by the leap in my heart who they are; Sarah and Matthew, my children who entered heaven when they were just babies. I spin around on my heels and see them running towards me, jumping and skipping with their arms open wide, smiles beaming widely midst giggles and laughter.  They crash into my legs with all the energy running little children bring, and together we fall to the ground in a giant three-pronged hug. Faces held and kissed over and over, hair stroked and brought near as I inhale their sweetness. We have so much catching up to do. Volumes of stories to be told, hours and hours of lap sitting, miles of walks to be taken. Decades worth of puppies and kitties to be cuddled and played with; many missed birthday cakes to be eaten. So much of what was taken from us, now being fully restored with eternity's time to do it in. There is no rush as we slowly get up hand in hand to begin exploring this new world. They gleefully lead the way. 

I am stopped by the sound of a familiar voice calling my name. "Daddy!", I call out as I run into my father's embrace. "I've missed you so much!" It is pure joy to see him restored to full health-- a young, vibrant man once again. I melt into the freely given love of my earthly father's hug, sweetly enjoying the outward expression of heart-felt emotions which he held strongly harnessed when we were in the world. 

"Look, Mommy," Matthew chimes in, "here's our other grandpas."  I stand agape as I see generations of men who were part of my lineage; faces and names I never knew. My grandfathers who had passed away before I was born, my great-grandfathers, and great-great-grandfathers. What amazing men to meet and learn about and hear their stories of struggle and faith. 

Sarah pipes up, "Mommy, don't forget to meet our grandmas." Again, groups of women come and introduce themselves. Women who lived through the centuries now come forward to tell their stories of how they were saved, and how their love for God was passed down to the next generation. Aunts, uncles, cousins all come forward to greet me, and in that moment, I am so thankful I have all of eternity to spend getting to know these precious people. I am in awe of their words and what they did. Because of them-- because they stayed true to the faith-- I am here. 

Others have come to greet me. Some I recognize as old friends who passed into eternity years and years ago; others are persons I read about in Bible stories or history books. As I simply allow my vision to take in the panorama of the multitudes surrounding me, someone touches my arm, gently tugging to get my attention. A young woman starts to speak, then chokes back her words as if she were about to cry.  Softly, she manages a smile as she begins again to offer her thoughts. "I am here because of you."  Others around her-- men and women, young and old-- nod in agreement. "We're here because of you, too." "Really? What did I do? How am I responsible for your being here?" Each in turn shared their story of how something I said or did began a chain of events which led them to God. A smile given at a moment of complete desperation and hopelessness, sharing my own pain and how I survived it, an act of random kindness, a sincere prayer offered for a complete stranger; the list went on. I was shocked at how something which seemed so small and insignificant to me altered the eternity of another human being. 

Below is a song I remember from my youth. Little is much when God is in it. When we do anything from a heart of love and obedience to God, we will never know how far-reaching those actions go. We will never know until eternity how our lives impacted others. Be faithful, obey God, and be prepared to meet the many who are in heaven because of you.
 
Words & Music: Kit­tie L. Suf­field, 1924

In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you. 

Refrain

Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.

In the mad rush of the broad way,
In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus’ love and mercy,
Give to them the Word of Life.

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.

Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child—well done!”