I recently read a book my husband recommended, “Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip To Heaven and Back” by Todd Burpo, a Wesleyan pastor from Nebraska. This is the “astounding” story of his son Colten’s experience in heaven when the boy was near death. Yes, it reaffirms what I believe and gives me a picture of heaven as seen through a child’s eyes. I have thought about Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:3-4. “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” NIV The revelations in this book helped my eyes to see heaven like a little child–a simple, trusting belief.
My husband and I go to a local care center one Sunday a month to provide a church service for the elderly residents. Yesterday, my husband used the message in this book during the worship service. One of the staff members thanked him for the message. As we asked the folks what special prayers they would like for the following week, we had more meaningful conversations than we had before. One lady told us of the angels that surround her bed at night. Another asked for prayers for her parents who she hopes are in heaven. I believe that the reinforcement of my beliefs helped to comfort the woman who told me of her pain.
I am thankful that reading “Heaven Is For Real” helped us to offer comfort and hope to others and gave us the experience of seeing the world and heaven as little children. I pray that we continue to be like little children.
Sherida Stewart 