Monday pick-me-up

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL!


An Oklahoma sunset taken from our back porch about a week ago.
Yes . . . Heaven is for real and I just finished reading the book by the same title. Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo, details his son’s account of his trip to heaven and back during an emergency appendectomy. I know, sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn’t it!?

I remember when this book came out in 2010. I remember watching interviews of Colton Burpo and his parents on all the major networks concerning his account of survival and being in heaven. I thought it was interesting but I didn’t need any convincing Heaven was real. I already strongly believed that. I remember one of the things Colton talked about in the interviews was meeting his older sister in Heaven (whom his mother had miscarried at eight weeks). His parents had never told Colton about the sister he never met and yet he did meet her and could describe details about her. Again, I thought this was very special but I didn’t need any convincing that my miscarried children were in Heaven either – I already strongly believed that as well. So, I didn’t feel a need to read the book.

However, in April of this year, my mother-in-law left me this book and said it was worth reading. Then, on Mother’s Day, my mother mentioned reading the same book and said I would really be encouraged by it as well. I thought to myself, “Okay God . . . I get the hint. I’ll read it.” And, so I did, and they were right.

This short read is a must for anyone who is interested in a closer glimpse of Eternity, and more importantly, of who will be there – namely Jesus Christ. Colton also mentions God, the Holy Spirit as well as seeing family members he never knew like his great-grandfather, Pop, and his sister.

This book makes you anticipate what is to come and it makes it all seem more real than ever – all retold through the matter-of-fact, blind faith of a four-year-old.


Right before a storm on Memorial Day. I was intrigued by the ray of light coming from the hole in the sky.

From reading this book, I walked away with . . .

-- A deeper glimpse of the Father and Son’s heart for their children. Jesus feels more real and intimate to me than He has in a long time, and Colton’s account has reminded me how Christ longs to have a personal relationship with me and the lengths He will go to to show me His love & His goodness. He is listening to my heart!

-- It makes me long to see Jesus face-to-face, to sit with Him, and really know Him. It makes me so grateful to be in relationship with Him and more driven to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word.

-- It makes me even more eager to hold our two children we’ll never meet this side of Eternity and excited to think my grandparents could already be playing with them even now. It’s incredible to think they all know each other.

If you’re looking for a great way to kick off your summer, this is it! I encourage you to “pick up” this Monday pick-me-up!!