Look Who’s Here!

 I come from a small town in Kentucky. Every year, on the last weekend in May, Pineville, Kentucky hosts the Mountain Laurel Festival. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to sit underneath a canopy on the courthouse square during this festival.  I had a table set up to display my book, “Holler, Heaven and Home, A Journey of Faith.”  So, I settled myself comfortably behind my little table and I sat down in my brand new green chair-in-a-bag. A slight breeze was blowing throughout the canopy for most of the day, so my shady area was quite pleasant. People would come by and ask me about my book, or sometimes, friends would just come over for a hug, and to say hello. I thought to myself, “This is just like front-porch-sitting...like we used to do, when friends and neighbors would stop by.”
   Every now and then, there would be a lull in the crowd, and I would have a few moments to take in the sights and sounds.  Since I pride myself in being an “observer of the people,” I found each person very interesting. A nicely dressed young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, walked by with her cell phone pressed to her ear. Her dark hair was pushed back with a pair of sunglasses. As she passed my booth, I heard her say, “Love you! Bye!” to the person on the other end. I saw teenagers walking hand in hand, as they sweetly looked at one another, almost as if they couldn’t take their eyes away. Their smiles and expressions clearly showed that young love was in the air. Conversely, I also saw an elderly couple, who looked to be in their eighties, also holding hands as they walked down the street. Even though they weren’t staring at each other, you could tell that the bond of love was between them. Shortly afterward, I looked across the street, and saw a man riding a bicycle, like it was the most natural thing in the world. I was reminded of the Andy Griffith episode, where he had to tell the little boy not to ride his bike on the sidewalk. Then, I heard an expression that we only use in the south.  “They law...” yelled a woman, drawing out the last word as she ran to hug her long-lost friend. “I want you to look who’s here! “ Her southern drawl made me smile...probably because it’s a lot like mine.  She enveloped the other lady into her hug, and I watched as they were talking over one another in their excitement. 
   Today, I saw teachers who taught me, teachers who taught with me, and several former students, who are all grown up now, with children of their own. I saw friends who went to high school with me. I saw friends of my husband, who eagerly asked about him. 
   I saw so many cute little babies in strollers, and toddlers, who were holding onto their mom or dad with one hand, and eating cotton candy with the other. I saw families gathered on the sidewalk, as they planned their evening. Then they would disperse, but not before yelling, “Love you!” and some would go toward the rides, and others toward the food booths. 
   I was excited that I had the opportunity to tell so many people about the stories in my book, but what I found, was that each of them had a story, too.  I was blessed to hear theirs as well.
   I saw so many old friends and neighbors...and made some new friends and neighbors. 

This scene made me wonder if this is what it will be when we all get to Heaven? Will there be a glad reunion there? Will we see our friends and loved ones? There are a few verses in the Bible that point to the fact that we will.

When King David’s infant son was taken from him, he was distraught, but he knew he would see him again. In 2 Samuel 12:23, David says, “Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

In Luke 9:28-36, when Jesus was transfigured in front of some of His disciples, we are told that Moses and Elijah appeared with him. This shows that we will retain our individuality in Heaven.

Also, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we are told, “…we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

I am encouraged by these words! I know that this glad reunion day…this eternal festival…outshines any gathering that we can have on earth! For, the most important fact about Heaven, is that we will be safely in the presence of the Lord forever! I can’t wait to go there! And, I hope that I can see you there too. Are you ready?

If I see you, I might just yell, “They law...look who’s here! “