We recently lost a very dear elderly member of our church. His wife passed away two years ago and he just had not been himself since. She was his ears (he was nearly deaf) and spent many a sermon repeating (quite loudly) what the preacher had just said when Papa would ask the words, “What’s that?” Dedicated to so many ministries in our church, he was one of the most faithful members I’ve ever known. Together, they were known as “Mama and Papa” to everyone and my children were especially fond of them. Not a Sunday went by that Papa didn’t smile and shake your hand or give the kids a hug, even when he wasn’t feeling well.
Last night, we sat the children down and were explaining to them that Papa had gone on to Heaven to be with Mama and Jesus. The kids sat in silent contemplation for a moment and finally, our son asked in a small voice, “Did he get a new body?” And we told him that yes, he has a new body and he doesn’t even need hearing aids anymore. Then he asked, “Is it black?”
Apparently my son thinks you get to pick the color of your new body.
Technorati Tags: children, heaven, Texas
bubandpie
February 8, 2008 at 11:00 am (16 years ago)That’s a beautiful reversal of William Blake’s poem “The Little Black Boy.” I can’t remember if the boy was white on the inside, or if he got to be white in heaven – but it was something like that.
Flea
February 8, 2008 at 11:03 pm (16 years ago)Here I am all sad as I read and then burst out laughing! I am so sorry for y’all’s loss though.
Fresh Girl
February 9, 2008 at 11:58 am (16 years ago)Aww, I’m so sorry for the loss of that precious one, though of course he’s not really lost, is he? And as they say…out of the mouths of babes!
Kalynne Pudner
February 10, 2008 at 8:23 pm (16 years ago)Actually, I think your son is correct, that the glorified body has the characteristics its owner desires (think of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene and the disciples en route to Emmaus, yet they didn’t recognize him).
Anyway…found your blog via the blogrush widget on mine. The title of this post kind of grabbed me 🙂
Cheers,
“The Philosopher-Mom”