A better place

God Himself will be with them and be their God.  — Revelation 21:3

When my friend Marci’s father-in-law passed away, she stopped making his favorite dessert: pineapple salad. One day, her little boy asked why she no longer served it. She replied, “It reminds me of Papa, and it makes me sad; Papa really liked that dessert.” Her son replied in a chipper tone, “Not better than heaven!”

That little boy had the right idea. Heaven is a much better place. Remembering this can help ease our sadness when things on earth trigger memories of believing loved ones who have passed away. Our friends and family who have heavenly addresses are much happier there because:

• Heaven is God’s home. God’s followers will enjoy His presence for all eternity (Rev. 21:3-4).

• Heaven is comfortable in every way. Heaven’s residents will never be sick or upset (21:4), hungry or thirsty (7:16).

• Heaven is a beautiful place. A “clear as crystal” river will flow from God’s throne (22:1), and God Himself will give heaven its light (22:5).

Do things in this world sometimes remind you of believers who have moved on to the next world? If so, it’s comforting to think that they are now enjoying heaven — a better place by far.

                  —  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

If God has made this world so fair,

Where sin and death abound,

How beautiful beyond compare

Will paradise be found!  — Montgomery

READ: Revelation 21:4-11

The pleasures of earth  cannot be

compared to the joys of heaven.