A Picture of Heaven named Evelyn, Anne and Nicole

God in His wonderful graciousness permits us to see glimpses of Heaven every now and again. There are different glimpses for different people and we should keep our eyes focused on Him and not on these glimpses lest we get disappointed when every day doesn't lead to one.

Some times these are a sunrise or sunset, a piece of music, a talk, speech or sermon that moves you, and sometimes it is wonderful fellowship.

I had one last night with a group of women from church.

Nicole is in charge of a ministry called 'table for 4'. The goal is for 4 women to meet for 4 months and just get to know each other better. The goal is to pair 2 older women and 2 younger women. My group consisted of Nicole, Evelyn, Anne and myself. I was one of the 'older women'.

Last night was our 4th time to meet. We met at Evelyn's house.

We talked about the following:

children's names

our names

upcoming events at church

recent trips we had taken

education

politics

cancer

the church nursery

the upcoming weather

weddings

church history

plus about a billion more topics

When I list what we talked about it seems so mundane but when we were talking about them the sharing was very deep and we laughed, oh how, we laughed. I came away knowing I was loved, very encouraged, and ready to get back into the daily grind because I was so uplifted.

We have been assigned new 'table for 4 groups' to begin in February and I am excited to learn from and about my new group.

I bet Ralph is dancing.

Yesterday the world mourned the loss of the King of Pop. I did not. I did my part when growing up of listening and buying records of Michael Jackson but when he was arrested for child abuse or whatever it was, I got disgusted and lost interest in him.

Yesterday the world lost a great man. My friend, who sits behind me in church, Ralph, is now rejoicing in heaven with Jesus. He was in his early 80's. He had been in the hospital for about 4 weeks. On Tuesday morning, after his precious wife, Elizabeth, who he loved well, spent the night by his side, he was welcomed into heaven with the shouts and fanfare of the saints that have gone on before him. He is no longer in pain and can get on with work of Heaven.

I feel sorry for the children of Michael Jackson. As strange as their life was, the loss of any kind is hard. I also feel sorry for them because they do not know, without a doubt, that they will see Michael Jackson again.

Elizabeth knows she will see Ralph again and although the pain she feels now seems to her, I can only guess, as unbearable, she does have hope. She knows that her Savior is walking beside her and she knows where Ralph is, without a doubt.

I do pray for the children of Michael Jackson. I pray that they will come to know Jesus who will give them hope. I pray for their growing up years and what their lives will be like as people may want them for who their daddy was, not for who they are.

I am praying for Elizabeth. Half of her is not here today. In marriage, I do believe that the 'two shall become one'. She will have to learn to live with this gapping hole in her heart and life. But I know that Elizabeth will probably pick me up more than I'll do that for her and she will have an even more incredible testimony of the love of Jesus.

The entire world will not note the loss of Ralph like our little corner of humanity does but Heaven is. And eternity is what matters.