peering into heaven
The close of each group's time in the Dominican Republic and their launch home, is a sunrise baptism on the beach. Announcing the wakeup call produces groans from teenagers protesting a 5:45am wakeup call. Literally rolling out of bed, they fumble themselves out the door and down the hill as light begins to flood the sky. Arriving at the place where water meets land, they scatter standing at waters edge or leaning on low-hanging tree branches or sitting on towels spread as blankets. Still the sun hasn't risen and yet the world is already clearly seen all around.And then another world is clearly seen. I promise you, we peered right into heaven. Pure, clear white light concentrated and isolated set directly before us. Perfection. Clouds rising from the horizon line at the water to reveal layer after layer of brilliant, glowing golden clouds. Rays streaming down delight and peace. An opening to heaven set before us. 
Although metaphor is valuable and undeniably powerful, I don't speak in allegory when I say we glimpsed heaven that baptism morning. Without speaking about it at all until hours after the moment had passed and the sun was already noonday blazing above, others felt deep in their souls the very same truth. For the skeptic, I'll grant you that permission to remain so...the moment was too sacred to need defense against protest. We too were scared to hope what our eyes saw and souls believed, was actually true till one by one we admitted our hearts lept within us with the wonder of what was revealed.I'm content to rest in the knowledge that our perfect heavenly Father wanted us to know that He is well-pleased with us as His children. That living with eternity in mind, the very real afflictions that burden us are light and momentary in comparison. That those we love who have died in Him, are basking in His glory free from pain, tears...no more faith or hope needed but fully abiding in love.Pure glory opening before our eyes. A glimpse of the light of heaven revealed. Delight and peace for our hearts.