YOUR NEW ROOM

The night before last, on Palm Sunday, April 1, my son's father-in-law passed away very unexpectedly. He had not been feeling well all weekend and thought it was the flu. He had seemed in good health and his passing at age 72 was a shock to all who knew him. He was a quiet Christian man whose father was a Lutheran pastor. He and his wife have lived in Tucson the past forty or more years.

I asked my son whether their small children knew their Grandpa had died. He said they did know because they had heard their Mom crying on the phone and asked why. "But I don't believe they understand what's really happened," he said.

A short time later their six year-old son asked, "Do you think Grandpa likes his new room?" The question stopped my son cold. It seems he had told his son some time ago that when a person dies believing in Jesus, God gives him a new room to live in, a room up in heaven just like he wants it. Thus came his question, "Do you think Grandpa likes his new room?"

My son talked with him about this and then asked him what he would like in his new room in heaven. He said without hesitation, "Escalators, fans and lots of stuffed animals." Those three things have recently fascinated him, and he wanted his room filled with them.

What would you like in your new room? How would you explain a Christian's death to a small child? How would you explain to him the blessings of heaven and eternal life with Jesus? Are you ready for your new room?

This is Holy Week, a time when we are assured once again that Jesus did all that was necessary so that we can all go to the new room God has prepared for us in heaven. This will be a difficult week for the family, but it will also be filled with joy because a Grandpa and Dad, a husband and friend, now has a new heavenly room prepared for Him by Jesus, our Risen Savior.

In my room I want a recliner, a large print Bible, and a door leading to all my loved ones.