When We All Get to Heaven

by Michele Husfelt

As soon as we walked up the steps to the church's front doors, the anticipation became reality as we saw old friends who had moved away several years earlier. Hugging and exchanging greetings, we found it just as I had imagined – a good ol’ fashioned family reunion. Yet this was a celebration of life. Our beloved Pastor Ray had gone home to be with Jesus.

We moved inside and continued to meet and greet, spying friends we expected to see and many who were a wonderful surprise. The memories were celebrated as many greetings included the words, “Remember when…” “Remember when we had monthly teas and your friend showed us how to eat jackfruit?” “Remember the days when our kids were in college, and we gathered monthly to pray and send care packages?” “Remember when Pastor Ray would choke up during many sermons as his passion was so evident?” And remember when he would say, “Take out your copy of God’s Word.” That was my favorite saying of his.

The time passed quickly, and we found seats inside the sanctuary as the music began. The service was beautiful and the message was meaningful. Pastor Mike (who is also my boss) shared that while we don’t understand why, our charge is to trust Jesus. The choir sang his favorite hymns. And we worshiped as a family.

Following the service, there was an ice cream social in the fellowship hall, aptly named the Ray Bearden Hall. After all, good family reunions always include ice cream. And since it was his favorite indulgence, it included chocolate syrup and sprinkles, just the way he would have preferred.

After more greetings of long-ago seen First Baptist Church “family,” we ended the celebration at dinner with friends, where we continued to reminisce and cherish our time together. Not exactly a preferred occasion to reunite, however, we all agreed it was a wonderful family reunion.

We left the restaurant and continued to run into more “family” before heading home.

We grieved, but not without Hope. Hope that one day, we will all reunite again just inside the heavenly gates. This was just a glimpse of that final family reunion.

(In loving memory of Pastor Ray Bearden from First Baptist Church, Woodbridge. Always in our hearts as we await that great reunion.)