I could overhear their conversation. Now mind you, I was not eavesdropping. I had a book in my hands, and I had been happily reading a political thriller when I couldn’t help but notice their words. No matter how much I tried to block their conversation out, I just couldn’t. Well, tell you what, you take a listen at what was said, and then you tell me if you could have done any better.
“Mommy, if Jesus loves everyone, why did he take Daddy away from you and me?”
“Oh, honey, I’m sure Jesus loves your Daddy’s company as much as we did.”
“So he took Daddy to be with him?”
“That could be one of the reasons.”
“What’re some more reasons Jesus wanted Daddy to come home so early, Mommy?”
“Well your dad was a carpenter like Jesus, so if he needed help building any rooms in Heaven, your Daddy could help him.”
“And?” the little girl asked.
“And your Daddy was good at planning things, so I imagine Jesus wanted his help in planning everyone’s homecoming to Heaven.”
“And?”
“And here is the biggest reason I think Jesus wanted your father in Heaven with him: I think Jesus wanted to talk to your Daddy about a father’s love for his child. See, your Daddy loved you more than his own life. He sacrificed day and night to make sure his family, and especially you, had everything we needed. He was the best father in the world. Jesus now has two of the greatest fathers nearby him in Heaven. And I think Jesus can’t wait to see the day he reunites you with your Daddy.”
“Do you think Jesus will be upset with me for wanting to keep Daddy here with me?” the little girl inquired.
“No, Heather, I’m sure Jesus knows how hard it is for you to be away from your father. And I’m sure he knows you miss him.”
“I hope Dad builds my room in Heaven just like my room in our house.”
Now, as soon as that little girl made her last comment, well I couldn’t get the picture out of my head: I could just see Heather’s father and Jesus painting this little girl’s room pink, and her Daddy looking over at Jesus, after hearing the words carrying up to Heaven, and saying, “See, I told you she’d want her room to be the same.”
I never did finish the political thriller I was reading on that day. Just didn’t seem all that interesting after hearing from Heather and her mom.
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