Heaven's Door

My family and I stood talking in the parking lot of a large event. A football game maybe, or even some sort of activity for one of the kids. Across the street, I could see my mother, my sister, my niece, and my brother-in-law getting into their cars.  That's when it began. 

I noticed a few people floating in the air.  I looked to the right, to the left, and saw several people flying high above my head.  How could this be?  I remember saying to Scott, "What in the world is going on?" when suddenly, my feet left the ground.  I felt light, like I was flying.  I looked around and discovered that I had been lifted up as well.  I saw cars, street signs, and people growing smaller. Amazed, I began to smile.  I thought to myself, "I'm not sure what is going on, but this is fun."  For most of my life, I've loved flying.  As a teenager, I dreamed of flying airplanes and one day maybe even the space shuttle.  This was close enough for me.  

My body kept floating up.  Higher and higher I climbed.  At no point did I feel afraid.  I was enjoying the trip of a lifetime.  After several minutes of enjoying my flight, I glanced over my left shoulder and saw a magnificent sight.  Hundreds, thousands, no millions of birds flying with me.  Wait, those aren't birds...those are people!  And then I realize, we are all going Home.  

I don't remember words, just laughter.  I began laughing and felt a tremendous joy well up within me.  My body was still rising when I looked up.  I wish I could fully describe to you the view...the sky looked as if it had a massive hole in it.  The heavens had opened.  And we were all headed towards it.

The brightest light I've ever seen shined upon us.  It was warm and inviting and somehow, even though it's brightness should have hurt my eyes, I couldn't look away.  It simply invited.  I heard the other "floaters" laughing and singing and I could tell that my body was making some sort of noise but I couldn't quite distinguish it.  My spirit was in the lead.  My soul was excited and anticipating the Light.

In an instant, my fellow "floaters" were gone.  I was surrounded by light and what appeared to be stars swirling around me.  I remember thinking that I must have reached the hole in the sky when all of a sudden I was jolted.  My body pushed forward into what seemed like a wormhole in space...I felt like I was on a roller coaster and my stomach swirled.  Again, laughter.  I was elated.  This jolt ended as quickly as it began.  When I opened my eyes, I was inside a house.  

This house felt familiar, but I didn't recognize the furnishings.  The rooms were very bright, lit up by the open windows.  As I walked through, I began thinking that I should find my grandmother here.  As I looked for her, I saw my mother's brown flats beside the door.  This was my mother's home, not my grandmother's.  I called for Mom, but there was no answer.  I remember dancing through the house joyfully, never afraid of where I had landed.  I was excited to see my mother and couldn't wait to tell her all about this journey.  

I continued my search outside.  When I walked out the back door, I entered the city street.  This was no ordinary city.  The city was filled with people and there was singing all over.  Everyone seemed happy and full of life.  I was at peace.  This felt like Home.

                                                                                                                                                                         
_________________________
Have you ever dreamed a dream and when you woke up, all you wanted to do is go back to sleep to finish the dream?  The above story is actually a description of a dream I had last night.  I wish I could tell you more, but this is all I remember.  

So, at 4:30 in the morning, I prayed.  "Sweet Jesus, I know this was a dream, but thank you for reminding me what a beautiful home I have waiting for me.  Please help me to understand what I'm to take away from these images.  I am so hopeful and ready to see your face."  

I've replayed the images from this dream in my head all day.  I've prayed about whether or not to share this story with you.  It is one of those dreams that I'll never forget.  

It got me wondering about all the things I've been taught about Heaven.  My dream didn't have any pearly gates...I just went straight there.  I arrived in a place of comfort...my mother's heavenly home.  The city was beautiful and lit up by the most amazing Light.  I can only assume it was the glory of God.  

I was never afraid during this dream.  In fact, I was joyful, happy, and full of love.  I was at peace with the uncertainty of my location because I knew I was in the presence of God himself.  I felt loved.

If I'm honest, I'm not sure what God is teaching me with this.  I know that this was a dream and one day, I'll ask Him about it.  But I am sure of this:  God is anxiously waiting on our arrival.  He plans to open the heavens for each of us and that day will be filled with love, joy, and laughter.  And when I finally get there, I know that it will be way more amazing than any dream.


Luke 23:43
And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love."