My dear friend I cannot begin to describe heaven. Maybe heaven is what you make it? I do love the soothing thought that everyone there will be loved. There is far too much hate in the human world for us to sustain here more than another century and honestly I don’t know if I want to be here that long anyway. My hope is I will live and learn the lessons of this life and that heaven is made of all the love people kept from themselves all these years..
There is so much here that resonates deeply with me. This especially:
"Heaven is made of all the love people kept from themselves all these years."
This rings to true to me. Personally, professionally, and in every other way. Like the love is right here, just waiting to be received. But it's almost too much to believe that it was meant for us, so we hold it at arm's length.
I will need to spend many days thinking about what you wrote. It was really good. And made me more introspective.
Many patients I see lean on what they believe to be true because it provides them comfort, but they do not share those thoughts because they want no one to trample their garden. I understand and respect that.
Thank you, Janice. I hope you might come back after you've thought your thoughts and share them.
And your second paragraph touched me deeply. The idea that your patients, and yours in particular, would have to keep their hope gardens behind a high fence out of fear that those around, presumably those who love them, would trample the flowers, is simply crushing.
I am glad, and truly, that there are people like you to admire the beauty of the garden with people who simply want someone to share it with.
Chris – you are a blessing and are gifted beyond belief with your ability to see deep into the human condition and extract Godly points of view and observances. I am enjoying reading and following along. This topic of Heaven is a very interesting one. I think that we all do God a disservice when we equate what we anticipate being the most unbelievable experience we will ever know to a good hot dog as in “mmm I am in Heaven:”. You talked a little about that being one of the ‘nots’. We get small glimpses of what Heaven will be like when we look at the magnificence of the universe or the beauty of nature or the deep unconditional love we have for others (being in alignment with the character and nature of God). “Heaven on earth” seems to be a relative phrase but that still pales in comparison to the real thing or at least I believe that it does. I love the quote from Merton and it is that diamond point of pureness within that I believe resonates in harmony with God – when I allow it to. It is that point where we say, “I can’t explain it, but I just know that it is true”. This probably reads as scattershot, but that is what you have done to me – in a good way. Thank you, my friend, for challenging me to look deeper into my personal experiences with the one true God.
My idea Heaven is simply perfect love unencumbered by the gift and curse of free will we have on earth!
O, friend. You just threw open a door to giant castle. I can't wait to explore it with you.
This morning I noticed…
Feverishly pink;
Cherry blossoms tumbling down the street.
Birds perched clinging to branches.
Tweeting love notes to Mother Earth; to you.
My dear friend I cannot begin to describe heaven. Maybe heaven is what you make it? I do love the soothing thought that everyone there will be loved. There is far too much hate in the human world for us to sustain here more than another century and honestly I don’t know if I want to be here that long anyway. My hope is I will live and learn the lessons of this life and that heaven is made of all the love people kept from themselves all these years..
much love Chris 🤍
Nicole,
There is so much here that resonates deeply with me. This especially:
"Heaven is made of all the love people kept from themselves all these years."
This rings to true to me. Personally, professionally, and in every other way. Like the love is right here, just waiting to be received. But it's almost too much to believe that it was meant for us, so we hold it at arm's length.
Thank you for sending this.
So grateful for you, friend.
I will need to spend many days thinking about what you wrote. It was really good. And made me more introspective.
Many patients I see lean on what they believe to be true because it provides them comfort, but they do not share those thoughts because they want no one to trample their garden. I understand and respect that.
Thank you, Janice. I hope you might come back after you've thought your thoughts and share them.
And your second paragraph touched me deeply. The idea that your patients, and yours in particular, would have to keep their hope gardens behind a high fence out of fear that those around, presumably those who love them, would trample the flowers, is simply crushing.
I am glad, and truly, that there are people like you to admire the beauty of the garden with people who simply want someone to share it with.
Chris – you are a blessing and are gifted beyond belief with your ability to see deep into the human condition and extract Godly points of view and observances. I am enjoying reading and following along. This topic of Heaven is a very interesting one. I think that we all do God a disservice when we equate what we anticipate being the most unbelievable experience we will ever know to a good hot dog as in “mmm I am in Heaven:”. You talked a little about that being one of the ‘nots’. We get small glimpses of what Heaven will be like when we look at the magnificence of the universe or the beauty of nature or the deep unconditional love we have for others (being in alignment with the character and nature of God). “Heaven on earth” seems to be a relative phrase but that still pales in comparison to the real thing or at least I believe that it does. I love the quote from Merton and it is that diamond point of pureness within that I believe resonates in harmony with God – when I allow it to. It is that point where we say, “I can’t explain it, but I just know that it is true”. This probably reads as scattershot, but that is what you have done to me – in a good way. Thank you, my friend, for challenging me to look deeper into my personal experiences with the one true God.