Category Archives: Heaven

Pattern for Life

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Today as I was changing the bed sheets, I decided to put Nate’s favorites on. They’re full of thin stripes in blues and greens, resembling a king size bar code. I like them, too, because there’s no doubt of which fitted corner goes where. Since king size mattresses are close-to-square, it’s a mental exercise to get it right… unless the sheets are striped. Then it’s easy.

I think Nate liked these sheets because stripes represented order. He liked things to be controlled and if possible, tidy, which was a problem with an often-chaotic life. Being the father of seven brings turbulence as well as blessings, and financial ups and downs compound the turmoil. At the end of a day filled with commotion when Nate turned down the bed and was greeted with his favorite striped sheets, it did something special for him. He never failed to comment: “Oh, I like these sheets,” as if they were brand new.

I guess I could have blessed him with nothing but striped sheets, had I taken time to listen to the longing behind his comments. If I’d known how soon he would be leaving this world, I’d have done it for sure.

Today as I unfurled the sheets, it occurred to me stripes had popped up in other categories of Nate’s life, too. His favorite suits were pin-striped, and the ties he wore most often included diagonal lines. His shirts also followed the pattern, with the exception of the plain white ones he felt obligated to wear in court. If given a choice, stripes or checks were what he bought. Not sometimes, but always.

I hadn’t thought about this phenomenon until today. Disorder was hard on Nate, and he worked at keeping his life prepared and well organized. Even at restaurants, as we awaited our meals, he’d unconsciously straighten his silverware and line up his glass and cup to make his area “square with the world.” Without realizing it, the rest of us often worked against his efforts with our free-wheeling ways.

Reality doesn’t usually look like a bar code or even a checkered shirt. A better description of most lives is “askew”. Emergencies throw our schedules overboard, and conversations don’t always turn out like we expect. Frequently events overlap, forcing us to arrive late, prepare inadequately or flip-flop priorities. Over-commitment often stretches people like gum under a shoe. After a day filled with that kind of disorder, striped bed sheets give a reason to heave a big sigh and climb in, hoping for a better tomorrow.

Sometimes I think of Nate’s longing for his life to be neat and orderly and I’m flooded with thankfulness for where he is today. Either his wish has come true, or he’s changed into someone who can live with carefree abandon as he discovers joy upon joy in heaven. Either alternative is fabulous.

One thing is certain. Because there’s no night there, he’ll never need bed sheets… striped or otherwise.

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.” (Revelation 22:5)

What’d ya say?

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While I was in England recently visiting our son Hans and his young family, we began chatting about the Garden of Eden. We wondered aloud about its only residents, Eve and Adam, the mother and father of the entire human race. What did they look like? Were they tall? Small? Dark skinned? Light? Were they children? Teens? Twenty-somethings?

Enjoying our discussion, we talked about their language. Without ever pondering this before, I’ve always assumed they spoke English, a thought that seems comical now. But what, then, did they speak? Was it Hebrew? Greek? Aramaic? We decided it was probably none of those.

Most likely it was a language unknown today. Hans got me laughing when he said, “Maybe it was the language of clicks and whistles,” and then gave me his best impression. We agreed it was too late for either of us to master that one.

Nate spoke fluent Russian, having been a Russian minor in college. Although he downplayed his accomplishment, when he visited Russia, he successfully spoke it, was easily understood and was able to understand native speakers in return. He was fluent all right. And one of the reasons was his continual review of his flashcards, worn and dog-eared from ongoing use.

All of our children have studied foreign languages in school, but most can’t use it beyond Taco Bell or The Olive Garden. Although a two year old can become fluent in any language in less than a year, the rest of us need multiples of that time to speak even a little. The older we get, the harder it is to make a new language “stick”.

It’s even difficult (and can be risky) traveling in a foreign country where we can’t read signs or understand speech. Mary and I once got so lost in Sweden we thought we’d have to spend the night under a bridge. Although we had a car, a full gas tank, Swedish money and two fairly good brains, without the language it was a hopeless situation.

I’ve so loved listening to 22 month old Skylar learn English. Yesterday we walked the four short blocks to my mailbox with Skylar running circles around the rest of us, Linnea, Micah, Louisa, Birgitta, Jack the dog and me. One of us said, “It’s a little chilly.”

Skylar, a keen listener, immediately picked up on it. “It’s a little chilly, Mommy. It’s a little chilly, Weez. It’s a little chilly, Gitta. It’s a little chilly, Midgee.” As she skipped along, she repeated these new words 20 times over until we were stumbling along the road with laughter. But Skylar was simply learning a language.

No doubt heaven will have its own language made up of words none of us could ever find in an earthly textbook. When we first arrive there, however, and are still learning to speak it, there will be a way to commune with the Lord and each other as we’re bursting to share our joy at being in the presence of God. We’ll be able to use the universal language: music.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness.” (Psalm 100:1-2a)

Gratifying Greetings

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We all draw circles around certain numbers on our calendars. Today, June 11, has been marked on mine for weeks, because on that day I knew I’d be greeting our Florida family at Chicago’s Midway Airport. June 11 would mark the beginning of an 18 day visit during which we could refresh relationships and share a bunch of fun!

It’s only been nine weeks since I spent time with toddler Skylar and new baby Micah, but that’s a big deal when your life is just getting started. Arriving at the airport early, I found a shaded spot on 55th Street to await their call telling me they’d landed, connected with their bags, changed the necessary diapers and made it out to the second curb. After all that had been accomplished, we’d be wrapping our arms around each other at long last.

There’s no greater thrill than embracing loved ones you’ve been missing for a long time. Although Micah didn’t remember me, it was only a short while before Skylar leaned over with a hug and said, “Oh Midgee, you’re my good friend.” Her 22 month old high-pitched voice is sweeter music than the best symphony.

Little Micah isn’t so little anymore, having doubled in size since I saw him last. It’ll take my biceps a few days to catch up to his progress!

And what a blessing to have Linnea and Adam’s company again, along with good conversation and shared laughter. Closing the 1200 mile gap between us felt good.

Experiencing how satisfying it is to be reunited with people we love, I’ve often fantasized about what it’ll be like when we arrive in heaven. What will those greetings be like? One day God promises to get rid of our current earth and heaven to replace them with brand new ones. Logic tells us these new creations just might be linked with each other or possibly even be one in the same, heaven-on-earth.

Since God was quite happy with the first earth he created, maybe the new earth will be much like the original one, minus sin, anger, disease, tears, violence, thorns and all the other negatives in today’s world. Everything will be perfect, the way it was in Eden. And when we arrive, the Lord Jesus and the loved ones who’ve beat us there will see us coming. With enthusiasm and joy, they’ll run to meet us, greeting us with warm embraces and words of love.

Today at the airport it was gratifying to greet “my people” (as Skylar says) and know we’ll have some extended time together before having to part again. In heaven, however, I sense the greetings will be even more satisfying, and best of all, there will be no parting there.

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create.” (Isaiah 65:17-18a)