Last weekend over brunch with some friends after church, the
topic of Heaven came up. It came up in a way I had never thought about it before.
My friend mentioned he was reading some book about a guy that said Heaven
was/could be (not sure of his exact claim) a combination of some of your
happiest moments when you’re alive. My
friend went on to ask what are the 5 happiest moments of my life?
Here’s what I’ve decided that my Heaven would look like if
the happiest moments of my life were on “repeat”.
1.
A mash up of me at every amusement park I’ve
ever been to (minus the lines). Riding
rollercoasters and rides always brings out my adventurous side, and I am
guaranteed to smile & laugh nonstop when at an amusement park with rides.
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| My favorite amusement park of all time - Cedar Point! |
2.
Playing tennis…this sport I picked up in high
school has stuck with me. Not only does it relax me, but it makes me insanely
happy. I’d get rid of hitting the balls over the fence in Heaven…that part is
always annoying.
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| Me with my tennis BEAST face! |
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| One of my favorite tennis patterns! |
3.
Eating meals with my immediate family. Of course I wasn’t happy when the menu was
something I didn’t like (very picky eater as a kid), but I grew up with Mom,
Dad, sister, brother and me all eating around the dinner table. Sometimes we’d
have serious talks and other times we’d laugh our heads off. Regardless, I was
always happy for the stability and consistency of having them around for a
meal.
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| Eating with the Fab 5! |
4.
Performing Godspell a la 2002, same cast as when
I was 15/sophomore in high school. I
love to be on stage so much! Singing, dancing and acting out parables from the
Bible with the people I did at the time was one of my happiest moments ever!
5.
Laughter with friends outside at the beach. Of course I enjoy laughter with friends on
any occasion, but there’s something special about the times when I’m outside
with my friends, feel the sun’s warmth against my skin and we’re laughing all
of our cares away.
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| Beaching it in Texas! |
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| Beaching it with friends in MI |
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| Beach, food & volleyball in Chicago! |
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| Beaching in Miami! |
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| Beach time silliness in Chicago! |
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| Grubbin' @ the beach |
When I’ve thought of Heaven in the past, it usually leaves
me somewhat unsettled because I can’t quite grip my mind around it based on
what I’ve read/understood. According to the Bible, admission to Heaven is
selective, it’s like a big praise & worship concert all day, and there are
mansions and streets of gold. I just knew I wanted to go there because the
alternative sounded so bad. I’ve never thought of Heaven as being a place where
my happiness would be played out. It
sounds bizarre, but thinking of Heaven in terms of my best moments actually
left me with some ease about the place. I have no CLUE what Heaven is really
like…but at least thinking about it in terms of happiness forced me to think
about when I am happy.
I can remember when
I’ve been down…but most happy…that superlative doesn’t always stay on the radar
for me. It seems so counterintuitive
because in theory we should always remember the times when we’re at our
best/most happy.
I’m going to be looking out for my happy moments way more
now, and thinking…maybe this is what Heaven feels like when I’m in those
moments.
