Christmas 2010
December 2010
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
as I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
by the lights or its decor.
It was the folks in Heaven
who made me sputter and gasp--
the thieves, the liars, the sinners,
the alcoholics, the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbour
who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
was rotting away in hell,
was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
And why's everyone so quiet,
so sombre? Give me a clue."
"Hush, child," said He. "They're all in shock... No one thought they'd see you."
I suppose, many of us (including myself) are basing our great hope of Eternal Life not so much on our eligibility but on the forbearance, forgiveness, love and compassion of God our Father.
This is not necessarily an odd attitude to have albeit a very selfish one.
It is like the teenager who acts irresponsibly and wildly, bringing embarrassment and sorrow to his/her parents but always arrives back home expecting to be welcomed with open arms. I suppose you could say that it is a compliment to the parents whose love and forgiveness is never doubted by the child.
You and I often act in the same way towards our God. I expect Eternal Life from God my Father irrespective of what I do or say. I always expect the open arms of welcome.
While this attitude may be a compliment to the total love and goodness of my God nevertheless I am sure that God, like the parents of the errant teenager, would appreciate the occasional show of gratitude.