The Moral Of The Story:

“A little Swedish girl was walking with her father one night under the starry sky, intently meditating on the glories of heaven. At last, looking up to the sky, she said, “Father, I have been thinking that if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what will the right side be?”

— Unknown

This quote captured my attention because heaven itself has been the focus of much of my attention in the past two years since our daughter Amy suddenly relocated there. I love the little girl’s easy acceptance of both the beauty and the reality of heaven, something I totally believe in as well. I also believe that the very same terrible moment during the car accident when Amy breathed her last breath here on earth was the same triumphant moment she first opened her eyes in heaven and saw God face to face.

C. S. Lewis said, “All the great things that ever deeply possessed your soul have been hints of heaven.” Joni Eareckson Tada compares the best things on earth to the tinkling sounds of an orchestra warming up, waiting to break into a heavenly symphony. I have the sense that heaven is better than the very closest relationships, richest experiences and most magnificent places, multiplied beyond our comprehension. Furthermore, we will joyfully live pain- and problem-free with our Heavenly Father and our loved ones who preceded us there.

I still miss Amy terribly, but it helps to think of how excited she must be in heaven.

And you can quote me on that.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached at cindy@onthegrow.com or 537 Newport Center Drive, Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.