Just Camping

"I miss Uncle Grant," said Scarlett. She watched her father pound a tent stake into the ground. "I know he's in heaven, but he always loved camping in the mountains with us, and now he can't do that. It doesn't seem right." Scarlett knew heaven was a happy place, but she kept wondering if it really could be that much better than the wonderful experiences she was having on earth. Of course, not everything on earth was good. Scarlett remembered the many months Uncle Grant had been sick and how he had grown thin and weak. He had often talked about going home to be with Jesus.A few days later, Scarlett woke up feeling cold and a little stiff. She pulled on a heavy sweater and went out to stand by the fire her dad had built. "I have to admit I wouldn't want a sleeping bag for my bed every night," she said. "I love camping, but I miss the comforts of home." Scarlett looked at the big pot of water Dad had placed over the fire. "Like hot showers," she added."So you're getting tired of camping?" teased Dad."Well, I wouldn't want to camp out all the time. I'm kind of glad we're going home today. Camping is fun, but it's always nice to go home afterwards."Dad smiled. "I agree. I think Uncle Grant felt a lot like you do, Scarlett. He loved being here on earth, enjoying God's creation and spending time with family and friends. But when God called him to his true home, he was glad to go. Even though you've had fun on this camping trip, you're looking forward to hot showers and sleeping in your own bed. And Uncle Grant knew that his life here on earth was only temporary, and now he's in his real home with Jesus--the place where he truly belongs."Scarlett sighed. "I still miss him though.""I do too," said Dad. "But we'll see Uncle Grant again. When we die, our spirits will go home to be with Jesus too, and we'll be reunited with Christians who have died. Then one day Jesus will resurrect our bodies and make the whole earth new, free of sin and sickness and death, and we'll live with Him there forever!"Scarlett smiled. "And we'll all enjoy being together in God's creation again." –Catherine Runyon