What Heaven's Like

Rocky, Mark, and me
Christmas 1963

"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. And they sang a new song . . . " (Revelation 5:8-9)

From soon-to-be-released The Window at Willow Springs:

The living room glowed in Christmas-tree and fire light. Mark and I sprawled on the floor with our heads stuck under the tree, looking up through the branches. It smelled like a pine forest.

Rocky walked by. “What are y’all doing?”

“Looking at the lights,” Mark said.

I scooted closer to Mark. “Come see, Rocky.”

He dropped down beside us, and we stared at the green, red, blue, and gold twinkles. The fire hissed in the fireplace.

I twirled a foil star. “Is this what heaven’s like?” 

“Whatcha mean?” Rocky asked.

“Safe and happy and beautiful with the people you love?”

He looked at me and then back at the tree. “Yeah, I think so.”

     

". . . You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation . . . Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice:

The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!

I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say:

Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

(Revelation 5:9-14)

And that, beloved, is what heaven's like.