I stopped for coffee at Starbucks yesterday. The quote on the side of the venti cardboard cup caught my eye. “Heaven is over-rated,” it began. “All those clouds and harps….” The author went on to say, in essence, heaven needs a new marketing plan if it is to draw customers in today’s competitive market.
A precious friend of mine died Tuesday, and those of us who already have significant investments in heaven assembled together to celebrate our Savior who took her home. The service demonstrated to me that heaven already has quite an attractive marketing plan.
What struck me first was the number of children who attended this 73 year old adult’s funeral. This speaks to the influence Brother Don and Mrs. Irene had on the sweet little souls who listen intently to Don’s stories as he shares the gospel in simple, concrete terms. At least 3 lambs that Brother Don helped lead to the Lord sat within 3 pews of me at the service. I teared up when Don got down on one knee to hug my son, who wore his Sunday suit to school so he could come to the funeral. Our plan intentionally markets to children.
Worship began with Amazing Grace played by Mrs. Irene’s granddaughter on her crisp, clear violin. I can see Mrs. Irene smiling sweetly as she delights at each note of this familiar hymn. Then the beautiful voice of Mrs. Jo reminded us in song about our Savior’s work for us and our eventual transfer to His presence. I have never heard her sing with such power and strength. Our marketing plan seeks to stir the heart.
Three men spoke. The first set a joyful tone by picturing Mrs. Irene greeted in heaven by friends from Uruguay who went before her, many of whom she helped lead to the Lord. Talk about a return on her investment!
The second speaker was Brother Don. He said that he often told others that Irene taught him how to live. Now he tells us that over the last months she taught him how to die. Mrs. Irene faced death with peace and obedience, without complaint, trusting that her Savior knew best. She gradually disconnected with this world, losing interest in all things except the path to heaven before her. Those of us who have watched loved ones die have seen this process of letting go; we must also let go and watch our beloved walk off with Jesus. We need instruction on how to die, and God, in his wisdom, gives us this educational gift when our dear saints pass. The benefactors train the ones that follow.
Then Brother Don shared the most intimate and precious account of his last conversations with Mrs. Irene. She ministered to her husband’s grieving heart by validating all his efforts to love her. She even forgave him for calling her Henrietta when she goofed up! What a sweet moment when Mrs. Irene woke up one morning and expressed disappointment that she didn’t wake up in heaven. She held onto life long enough for her daughter to get here from South Carolina. That often happens. Dying, past the point of communication, how does a person process that someone is on the way to see them? How do they know when they get here? Doctors can’t answer that. Those who are deeply invested in Heaven have access to mysteries past finding out.
Brother Hal was the last speaker to the podium. He mentioned no clouds, no harps. From John 14, he read the last intimate and precious words of Jesus to His disciples before He died. Jesus spoke of peace, mansions, preparations, coming for us, sending us a comforter, and going to see His father.
Walking away encouraged, I thought of how beautiful heaven will be, with all of us there, with all of our work done. I believe we ought to give everything we have to go after this treasure. I believe that thoughts of the Biblical heaven will sustain us through hard days in this life. And I believe Starbucks knows nothing about marketing.
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