A Beautiful Reunion

Our church can feel big.

There are a lot of people that attend, and like at any larger church, it is easy to blend in or go unnoticed.

2023 TBCo Conference

Justin and I were in our seats this past Sunday, sitting right behind the main pastor, Pastor Alex, when a young couple came up the aisle and sat in a section off to the side with a newborn baby and a set of grandparents..

The worship music was playing and everyone was up on their feet.

This family took their seats a few rows back and settled in.

Nothing out of the ordinary, right?

But just a minute later, Pastor Alex looked over and saw them.

Instantly, her face lit up and she rushed over to the grandparents, hugging the grandma enthusiastically.

And then they were locked in an embrace that I thought would never end. Neither was budging. Nothing else mattered but this woman. And then words and whispers were said. Tears were wiped from eyes. Smiles. Another hug. Another word. And then Alex returned to her seat clearly moved by seeing this person.

I stood watching this and all I could see was love. A deep connection between the two. A longing.

Alex greets many people every Sunday, but never like this.

I stood there wondering, “Who is this woman? What’s her story? How do they know one another? How long has it been since they’ve seen each other? Something is very special about her and I wonder what it is. What a beautiful connection these two have. What a beautiful reunion.”

This stuck with me all week until a connection was made in my brain…Holy Spirit, is this what it is going to be like in Heaven when we reunite with Jesus?

Will God leap for joy at the sight of me?

Will He run to me or me to Him?

Will we hold each other, neither of us wanting to let go?

Will we whisper to one another? What thoughts will we share?

Will tears of joy fall from our eyes?

Will the angels and those gathered wonder with awe, “Who is this person? How special she must be for God to welcome her like this. Look at the love they have for one another. What a beautiful reunion!”

I imagine it will be like this for every one of His children coming home. Right?

Justin has the picture My First Day in Heaven and, I hate to admit this, but it never resonated with me…until now.

Obviously, others have pictured a reunion like this. It’s not unique. But it’s taken me a minute.

I don’t know why or what the block was, but I only thought of Heaven the place, not the person.

When I did think of Jesus, I never imagined Him excited to see me. That He would be able to spot me in a crowd, especially if I wasn’t impressive or was hiding in the back. He certainly wouldn’t make a beeline for me, hug me, and tell me how unbelievably happy He was to see me. I wasn’t anyone special. I always felt like He was too busy, off somewhere in His kingdom doing something important and that maybe if I was lucky I’d get a glimpse of Him as He walked past on a golden road. I guess I never thought of Jesus as an old friend to be reunited with.

Sad, right?

But that’s clearly changing and now and I’m so grateful that old belief is shattered.

All I can think about now is how beautiful that reunion will be for each and every one of us, including me, when that day comes.