What will heaven will be like?  Will we all be sitting on white puffy clouds singing and playing golden harps?  When someone we love departs this world, it’s natural for us to wonder.  As Christians, we have the joy of knowing  they’ve just moved into a perfect place where tears no longer exist.

But what about those who remain?  When a person has impacted so many people with her love for Christ, her willingness to serve and positive attitude, there are bound to be tears.  Tears of sadness, because we will miss having her in our lives.  Maybe a bit of selfishness causes us to resist letting go of this loved one, but I think it’s because they had such a strong connection with us.  Part of us is now missing and naturally we cry.

Our Savior, Jesus, experienced this same loss when His friend died.  He wept.  Tears can be filled with pain, hatred, scorn, fear, hopelessness or they can be enveloped in love,  friendship, relationships, hope, love and faith.  Each droplet allows us express our love for that person.  We’re not showing weakness, but a deep, unspeakable love.

When we know that God doesn’t fudge on His promises, we are assured that heaven is waiting for those who have repented and gone on to follow and serve the Lord.

The tears for me have been shed.  I wept for the potential loss of this wonderful person before she passed.  I cried for her diminishing body.  Tears fell for the thought of losing her.  I cried for the family that adored her. I wept as she suffered the devastation of cancer, but now I can rejoice, because I know her tears are over – even though ours will continue.

What will heaven be like?  We won’t know until we get there, but I believe that God has special things for us to do – things that we exceled at on this planet.  In my friend’s case, she was like Martha in her service to others.  She will undoubtedly be in charge of all the details of the banquet.  She’ll share her famous recipes, her caring nature, her love for Jesus, and her everlasting smile, which will now go on throughout eternity.