A Glimpse of Heaven

On a beautiful spring day, we open our windows to let fresh air. The fresh air gleefully plays with the curtains. The material dances up and down, twirling a part and we get a quick peak of the other side before the breeze joins the two into one again.

Once in a while, the Holy Spirit breezes through our lives, pulling back to the curtain, so we can catch a glimpse heaven. I don’t know why sometimes we can see and sometimes we cannot, but when those precious moments do come, they are life changing and life giving.

Such a sighting occurred last Sunday. A parishioner was admitted to a nursing home in the final days of brain cancer. Knowing his love for music, I casually invited at announcement time anyone who would like to come along to sing hymns with him. I gathered up a communion kit and set out. By the time I arrived, people were already gathering at the entrance. There were so many of us, the receptionist opened a conference room and by the time I had set up, the room had swelled to 18. When our beloved brother arrived he was greeted by 25 people. As we began to sing, our group, now at 29, spilled out into the hallway.

Heaven and utter love were seen that day. Heaven and its pure joy were seen as people, fighting back tears, sang their hearts out. Heaven and its wonder were seen as Yankee Episcopalians swayed to music. Heaven and its complete love were touched when a chain of hands were made in healing prayer. Heaven and its bounty were tasted as the Body and Blood of Christ was passed around. Jesus was present…God’s love palpable… as the Holy Spirit gently pulled back the drapes in an overflowing meeting room on a Sunday afternoon.

Such moments are priceless reminders of the Love that is with us always…even when we cannot see it clearly.