Heaven Is For Real!

My summer has been full of closet cleaning, family history research, and trying to catch up on my reading and music enjoyment.  Anyone that knows me, knows that my music and reading tastes vary greatly.  I'll listen to anything from Billy Idol to Bob Wills, and read anything from Karen Kingsbury to Tom Clancy to Ken Follett....don't judge!  But one book that I have recently read was truly a joy to read...so much that I read till 4am!

Heaven Is For Real is the story of a little boy who, in a very critical medical situation, believes that he spent 3 minutes in Heaven and provides his minister father with interesting information on what Heaven is like and those that reside there.  It is moving, it is humorous, and it is faith building.

Several times I've been asked if I had a near death experience when I had my transplant...and the answer is no.  However, I do know that the Lord was watching over me and was with me the entire way.  And it is with that same faith that I believe today.  The Lord put the Jeremiah verse about "having plans for you...plans for good and not evil" on my heart during the "procedure that became the ordeal", and it has stayed with me every since.  I've often been told that I had a peace around me as my condition worsened, and that is true.  I gave up all the anger, disappointment, and forgave those that I had held grudges against, and I turned everything over to God.  If it was His will that I survive, then fine.  If not, I had freed my soul.

Now, in the 8 years since, I'll admit that sometimes that anger and disappointment has come back, and I have to take some time and remember how much I've been given and let it go.  My job often doesn't show me immediate results, but I do know of at least one child that I managed to get out of a bad situation and if that was all I was I was saved to do, then that is fine.  But this book reminded me that all you need is a child-like faith and trust, and God will take care of the rest.

If you want to read something inspiring...give this book a chance.