If I open my patio door and sit on the deck, I have a beautiful view of the mountains. Some mornings the shadows of the clouds hit them just right, creating what appears to be a blanket of trees draped over the massive mound of rock. It accentuates the nooks and crannies and gives it depth, which I normally don’t see.
To me, this is God’s way of reminding me that there are many details of this world that reveal themselves when I am in the right frame of mind, and when my heart is on the right path. Intentionally living is what I call it. I am mindful of my surroundings and my deeds are done with compassion and meaning. It is then that I believe Heaven can be seen right from my very own backyard. Not with my eyes, but with my entire being.
No, God doesn’t wave his arms at me from the mountaintop, nor does He write my name in the clouds. It’s just a feeling, an awareness, that at certain moments there is a balance within my heart. There is a fullness that fills every pocket in my being. I feel as if God, Himself is breathing for me. Is this Heaven on earth? Is this that minute separation between this earthly place and Heaven? Is Heaven simply knowing God is there, within me and being 100% aware of it at all times? I think so.
But, can I be aware of His presence here on earth 100% of the time? No. My life requires me to clean house, cook for my sick neighbors, pick up kids from sleepovers, attend meetings and the like. My duties here and now don’t allow for that.
These moments are the glimpses of Heaven that He provides within me. It’s the “there is something better” awaiting me that keeps me grounded, mindful and faithful. Getting a peek at Heaven on earth is possible and I believe it is within all of us to see. But, when our hearts stop beating, that is when God will breathe for us and fill our hearts with pure joy. That is when we will see Heaven with our hearts and breathe His presence and experience Heaven on earth for all eternity.
