Thursday, February 6, 2025

Heaven Is Like Barbara


So I went to Heaven a couple of nights ago. Pain that had me screaming, Barb didn't know what to do, and I faded into the Reality.

Want specifics? Light and colour and dancing and music, angels and friends and anticipation. A blue sky and a sandy warm beach, cars and aeroplanes (running, yes, on gas).

And God. He is not the picture, He's the pigment and the binder and the canvas and the brush, and the frame and the wire for hanging, and the nails in the wall on which portrait is hung.

It was disappointing to be sent back, but there had to be a reason, maybe just to give assurance that Heaven is a real place, a place that when you get there, you'll know that you've always known it, and you'll know that it's always new and surprising.

I mean, didn't Jesus say, "Behold, I make all things new?"

Heaven's what you always knew,
but surprising, just like life,
so I guess, when day is through,
that Heaven's like my wife,
whom I had met before we met
(I'm sure you understand),
whom I have learned so well and yet
is undiscovered land
with laughter hiding in the trees
and grace in every grassy swale.
She stands much taller on her knees 
than some tap-dancing whale,
and thus I know Heaven above
is mirrored by the one I love.

Heaven also has a soundtrack. Here's a typical song.

The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is NOISE.

I can hear a lot of noise
just beyond those pearly gates.
Sounds like Jesus and the boys 
have got a party on their plates,
with shouting, laughter, and more fun
than we ever saw on Earth,
which is maybe how the Son
shows us just what faith is worth.
There are no shrinking violets here,
no wallflowers stand in the shade,
for God has made it very clear
that on arrival here we trade
the hesitancy and the quiet
for a dancing, loving riot.

For Sylvia, vanilla ice cream is always new.

 


6 comments:

  1. Andrew, that is so beautiful! I'm sorry you are having so much pain, but thankful that you have Barbara to be with you. May God bless you both!

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    1. Gayl, thank you so much! The pain will pass; only beauty and joy will remain.

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  2. Perhaps the party preparations are not quite done yet, Andrew, or perhaps the poem about Barb was needed, not just for both of you but for others, like me and my husband, living with the mystery of a long marriage and wondering how someone you know so well becomes more mysterious the better you know them. Thank you for the line about meeting before we met.

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  3. A beautiful portrayal of Barbara.
    God blessed you with a real gem.

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  4. This is so beautiful, I've lost my words. Continued prayers coming for you and Barb dear friend.
    Hugs to you both.
    FMF#11

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  5. WOW! Two spirit inspired, beautiful gems there! Through your writing you two are truly inspirational examples of faith and grace.

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