Heavenly Milkshakes

I think it is no mistake that I am reading a book called Heaven by Randy Alcorn.  It seems the idea of heaven and heavenly rewards keeps recurring in the bible studies our small group is doing.  It seems I am not alone in not understanding the concept of heaven.   So I am preparing for our next study.

The thing is, my family is mourning the death of my great-nephew, Miles.  Miles was a special young man who suffered from Sanfilippo syndrome.   When he died on Christmas morning, it was unexpected.  He had just spent Christmas Eve with his family.  And yet his parents and the rest of us knew it was coming.  There is no cure for what ailed him.

This morning, this paragraph jumped out at me:

"Meanwhile, we on this dying Earth can relax and rejoice for our loved ones who are in the presence of Christ.  As the apostle Paul tells us, through we naturally grieve at losing loved ones, we are not "to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope"  (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  Our parting is not the end of our relationship, only an interruption.  We have not "lost" them, because we know where they are.  They are experiencing the joy of Christ's presence in a place so wonderful that Christ called it Paradise.  And one day, we're told, in a magnificent reunion, they and we "will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)  [Heaven, Alcorn p73]

Because of Miles' many issues related to Sanfilippo he had trouble eating.  But he loved a good milkshake.  There have been many pictures posted on facebook of Miles enjoying a milkshake with his mom or dad.   Funny thing is, my brother in law, Joe, who is also in heaven, had a special love of milk shakes too.  Although their issues were different, they were both special young men.  I loved their grins and big soulful eyes and how they loved with no bounds.  I am a better person because of them.

Today, many of us who were touched by Miles' life will go enjoy a milkshake to honor his memory.  It is an awesome way to remember him.  But, I am going to take it one step farther today.  Based on what I am learning about heaven, I will imagine Miles in heaven today - unfettered from the chains of Sanfilippo - enjoying a milkshake with Joe.   And I will grieve with the hope of seeing them both again.  Maybe we'll even enjoy a heavenly milkshake together.