Heaven on Earth

What and where is Heaven? This is a question that has been on my mind all day. As I sat at McDonald's for lunch, I started thinking about all that I had and all that I have been blessed with. Then, I started to think about the man standing at the top of the hill as I was leaving for my lunch break. He was holding a sign that read "Homeless Veteran - Anything Helps, God Bless." I have probably seen him 500 times during my tenure in the shopping center. However, there was something different about this time. I have even given him a dollar or a bottle of water from time to time. I was overcome with this feeling of wealth. Not monetary wealth, but just an overall wealth of life. I thought about the piercing wind that was cutting through me as I walked the 50 feet into the building, and how I wouldn't even have to bother with the cold when I got home because I could pull my truck into the garage and walk inside. NO JACKET REQUIRED! But, not the nameless man at the top of the hill. He only has the woods across the street behind the bus stop and it was only going to get colder as day turned into night. I knew I would have a warm meal to go home to, thanks to the young lady on the left side of the above picture. The man at the top of the hill? Probably not.

So, I made a decision. A simple $5 decision. A $5 gift card to McDonald's and as I drove back to work, I made sure to give it to the man. Now, I am by no means asking for a big WOO HOO, or a Congressional Medal of Honor. I am just telling a story that touched me and gave me a clearer vision of what I have.

I think that as I have ventured into this phase of my life, I have focused a lot on the "afterlife" heaven and not so much on the heaven that I live in now. Jesus says in John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." He didn't say, "Hey, c'mon guys! Let's go to heaven." He meant for his disciples to stay here on Earth, be missionaries for him and that he would come get them when their room was ready (Research Jewish Wedding traditions about preparing a room for more information). We are here on Earth for a reason. We are here to do God's will. So, why do we spend such an inordinate amount of time worrying about the heaven we're headed to, when we have a heaven right here? 

I know that one day my number will be called. My room in heaven will be ready and when that day comes, I will welcome it. But, for now, I know I have a calling here on this third rock from the sun. I am still trying to figure that calling out. One day it's dog-walking and the next it's Shoo-zies (The Koozie you wear as a shoe and then take off when you need it to keep your drink cold). Just kidding, but I think I am here to share my story whether it be within the four walls of my house or the infinitely walled internet. If I can impart any wisdom on anyone, then it would be a miracle in itself!

I just know that I am more thankful for blessings that I have today than I was yesterday or the day before. Everyday I learn a little bit more. I think that we get so mixed up in what is going to get us into Heaven that we forget about the heaven we have around us. We take our lives for granted and forget that the good Lord put us here for a reason. He gave us all countless blessings to enjoy and share while we wait for our room to be prepared. Thus, I turn my attention to the here and now and treat each day like another day on this earthly heaven. 

So, in summation, it's like the prophet Joe Diffie said in Honky Tonk Attitude 1:3, "Lord, I wanna go to Heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight!" Goodnight and a God bless!