My husband and I had a friend pass away this past week, and we went to his ‘celebration’. It wasn’t a funeral, it was a celebration. Now don’t get me wrong there were tears shed on the loss of such a wonderful man. However we could not be too sad knowing that our friend is no longer in pain and is with our heavenly father.

 
It was truly a beautiful service; the pastor officiating painted a glorious picture of our fiend’s welcome home party that was going on in heaven. He even said that ‘funerals’ are for those of us left behind. And that our friend is probably not even aware of what we were doing here on earth because he is so full of joy at that moment taking in the full glory of God.

Wow! The mental image comforted me, even though I know this all to be true, I guess I never really fully imagine what it would be like in heaven. If I have, I never thought of it the way that the pastor painted it for me that day. Then Psalm 51:12 was brought to the forefront of my mind.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Restore in me the joy of my salvation. I mean, when things look dark and grim I can still have joy. Because when it is all said and done and my physical body has died, my spirit will be in the presence of our glorious one as he welcomes me home. And I can just even imagine what joy I will have face to face with my Heavenly Father.