A few years ago, my husband’s family rented two beach houses in California. The little houses were side by side and the beach was a quick walk away. We did so many fun things together. We toured submarines and battleships, shopped, ate out, and of course lounged on the beach.
But, as it turned out, the greatest joy I felt that week was padding barefoot back and forth between the two bungalows. As I pushed open the gate to the house next door, I could hear the laughter before I walked in. And, once I opened the door, love enveloped me. There were the people I loved, cooking, visiting, playing games, and laughing together. It was an incredible feeling and I found myself looking for reasons to go back and forth between the houses just so that I could experience that “walking into love” feeling again and again.
Last weekend, my hubby and I went to Orcas Island to celebrate his retirement. Every one of our kids and grandkids came up to celebrate with us and we all had side by side rooms in the hotel. Once again, I could walk from room to room and be greeted by love in each place.
I could tell that my granddaughter was feeling the same way because she too wanted to “visit” each room repeatedly. She loved being the hostess and welcoming people into “her” room, and she loved going into the other rooms and knowing she was welcome there too. She would have spent all her time running from room to room if we had let her.
John 14:2 says: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
When Jesus was born into this world, we did not have a room prepared for him. Instead, the greatest king was born in a lowly stable. Yet, he is preparing rooms for those who love him. Think about that. He has prepared a room for YOU!
I don’t pretend to know what heaven is like. I imagine it is more wonderful than my little brain can fathom. But, I hope we are allowed to run from room to room in our bare feet, being greeted with love everyplace we go. I can’t imagine anything more wonderful.
