Heaven-how do we describe it?

My dear Father passed away in 2003 and yet it feels like he has only been gone a short while.  We talked about lots of things as I visited him-questions about how my husband was doing, what all was happening on our farm and the list would go on.  I delighted in listening to him predict how large our hay crop would be and I would give him a story of me doing something silly, like running over a ball of  Orange Fishing Line as I was mowing and wondering "why is this orange stuff following me?" and he would howl with laughter, talking about the big mess it must have made.  These were joyous conversations that are stored away in my heart and bring me joy when I recall them.

One day  I walked in-gave him a hug but noticed his eyes had a far-away look in them and he was very quiet, which worried me.  I sat down and finally asked him "Daddy-what is wrong?"  He kept looking out the window and then said "Sister, I don't think the good Lord is going to open those gates for me, because I probably don't deserve to go to Heaven!"

My heart broke apart at these words-I knew my Dad trusted in the Lord and hearing such doubt in his words left me speechless, but I could see how heavy the load was for him and felt that a major task lay ahead for me to answer his questions.  Without hesitating, I sat straight up and told him "Daddy-you are a good Christian man-I just know the Lord would not shut you out and besides, Moma is there now and she is waiting to see you!"  His mind was full of thought as he lay there, with his hands inter-laced as he moved his thumbs in a race, simply going round and round, just like the path of our words being spoken.

I knew we were far from finished with this serious conversation as more questions started coming from him "Okay-tell me what you know about Heaven!"  There would be no "Dressing Up" the words for this and I simply told him, "Daddy, I think Heaven has to be a Paradise, its beyond anything we understand."  I quickly added words he could relate to "Oh I bet there is a lot of  Fishing in Heaven-remember about Jesus feeding thousands with just a few loaves of bread and some fish!"  Silence filled the air as he mulled my words over and then asked "So Sister, Who Do I talk to about getting inside Heaven once I am at the Gates?"

My Dad-simple, to the point, no hidden agenda, waiting to see if I thought what he said was silly and I knew he was pouring his heart out to me, so all I could think to say  was this "Well Daddy, I believe Saint Peter is at the Gates-just speak with him and Moma will probably be right there, waving you on in!" Silent prayers were rushing all around me because Dad knew his time was probably not long and he needed words of assurance- and would never have spoken to anyone else-just his daughter whom he called "Sister"and he was placing his trust in me as I tried to teach him about Heaven with time not being on our side for a lengthy lesson.

Something profound had happened-he seemed peaceful and relaxed-understanding my answers and now after the serious manner of our words, he decided to have a bit of fun with his daughter- "Now Sister, I think you are right about Heaven being a place filled with fishing and I need to know where to get my fishing pole!"  Typical Daddy-taking  care of the basics. This sly smile covered his face as he watched me struggling for another answer- "Oh Daddy, you know who will have your Pole-Moma!"  My mind was so ready for this conversation to end but he had one final challenge for his daughter "Okay Sister-I need to have a Fishing License-so who do I talk to about that?"

Now we were both smiling, knowing how far we had traveled together-I leaned back in my chair, tired and yet thrilled to see my precious Dad's face, filled with love for me as I spoke to him "Daddy, be sure and speak directly to Jesus about that!"  He quietly chuckled and we never spoke about Heaven again.  Oh I am sure that I could have spent a long time quoting scripture to my Dad, giving him words from the Bible, instead of coming up with answers of Heaven being a place to catch a lot of Fish!

Sometimes we have to take a different approach on spiritual issues and my Dad had hit me with the biggest challenge-he needed answers and assurance.  I probably was not the best person to tackle this issue but he trusted me and had witnessed my own faith journey.  As I left his room that day, suddenly for no reason, I glanced toward pictures hanging on the wall and there was a photo of my Dad, much younger, smiling with pride as he held up a huge catch of fish!  God was right there with us both-and I know HE gave me the words to help me give a fast teaching lesson about Heaven!

I will forever be thankful to God for the blessing of my parents, regardless of the ups and downs we went through at times, I loved them so much and there is a aching in my heart as I miss them each day.  Something tells me they are smiling down with Joy as they rest on the shores of Heaven.