Everlasting Happiness

Staci
Staci had no idea how much time had passed since she had passed on from the earth into life everlasting. The old grandmother had shut her eyes for a moment, and when she awoke, existence as she had known it simply ended and she was instantly sent to the heavens where she had always truly belonged. From the moment she approached the throne of grace, her experiences had been vastly more interesting than any of the stories he had lied about in her teenage years. The beauty and glory of the heavenly city of light was overwhelming.

"How do you like it, my daughter?" Jesus asked with the warmest of smiles as He and she walked down the golden streets.

"Like it? Yah no, I love it!" Staci beamed, "It is so much more amazing than I could ever have imagined!"

"I am very glad you think so." Christ chuckled, "It brings so much joy to me that you have made it back home."

"I am eternally grateful." the Burnett smiled, "You know I wouldn't have been able to quit compulsively lying without Your help and love. You really gave me hope when it was all gone, yah. You gave me strength to move past the lies I had so long believed about myself. I don't know how much I could thank you. I really love you Jesus."

The look on His face said it all. One thing Jesus loved so much was the mutual love He had with his beloved, "Staci, let me show you something."

And in an instant they were ascending, and then flying above heaven. They soared until they found a large tree where they landed.

"Ooo!" Staci cooed in excitement, 'What is this?"

"Touch it." Jesus told her, "You will never regret it."

"Okay." Staci agreed, she wasn't going to argue with God of all beings. The redeemed woman touched the bark and instantly felt a sensation. Her eyes went wide as stories began to fill her mind. Stories of her actual ancestors and the things they did and the lives they led.

"For years, my dear Staci." Jesus began, "You lied about those who lived before you in order to gain popularity and interest in yourself. As I have you touch this tree, I give you the real stories of those who preceded you in life on earth."

Staci let go and gasped in happiness. She now had so many wonderful stories she could tell and replay in her own mind. It was odd, but wonderful that she actually knew what her great-great-great-great-great-great aunt had done so long ago.

"Thank you." Staci whispered in happiness, "I mean-wow."

"Is their any stories in particular you'd like to share?"

"Well, yah! But, I don't want to bother you and take up your time..."

"Staci, remember this. You are never a bother, and I would love to hear about my daughter's ancestors. Go ahead, tell me all that you would like."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Well, okay." Staci shrugged, and began to speak, though not as fast as she had on earth. Her Heavenly Father merely sat there and listened intently, delighted to see one of his saved in such a happy state. Before long, a crowd of people had gathered to listen out of curiosity, and Staci was so overjoyed with pure, well, joy.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Jesus knew she wouldn't talk here forever, but as Staci honored God by sharing the stories He had shared with her to others, Christ only smiled at his precious child.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Harold was not one to be easily impressed. You had to show him something absolutely brilliant to have him gaping in awe.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">And as he stared at the magnificent, shining city as he stood in front of heaven, he was at a complete loss for words. Well, one did escape him.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Awesome." the red-headed nerd said as he closed his eyes and nodded. When he opened them back up, Jesus was standing in front of him, welcoming him into the city.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Well done, my good and faithful servant, Harold." the Lord smiled as he removed the glasses from His child's face, "You won't ever be needing these ever again."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The moment after He said that, the glasses vanished, never to be seen again. But that's not all, Harold's sight was completely restored to normality, the final touch on his glorified body.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Double awesome." Harold gasped in delight as he could see clearer than ever, "You, my God, have the maddest skills in the entire universe."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Why thank you My son." Christ chuckled. Then He grabbed Harold's hand, "Come, I would like to show you something."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Okay, let's do it." Harold nodded, not going to deny his Awesome God. With that entered the gates and walked through the amazing city. All the while commenting on the architecture in the most complicated mathematical terms, spewing praise on the angles and trajectories of all the buildings that surrounded him. Eventually they stumbled Harold's heavenly mansion.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It's so beautiful" Harold beamed. He would have shed a happy tear at the beauty, but he couldn't. There was to be absolutely no tears in heaven.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Why don't you go inside?" Jesus asked as He opened the door to the home. As the red-head walked in, he saw the normal things you would find in a house, only much more amazing, but their was something else. It was in the middle of the room, just floating there.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">It was a rotating globe.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What is this?" Harold asked as he observed the spinning sphere.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You like all the factoids and little trivia bits of history, don't you Harold?"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yeah I do." Harold fist pumped, " It's so wonderful to fill the mind You gave me with knowledge.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Have you ever wanted to experience it first hand?" Jesus asked, already knowing the answer.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yeah, that would be beyond awesome. They would have to invent a new word for how awesome that is."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Well now you can." the Lord smiled, "Simply reach into the globe, think of what moment you want to go to, and enjoy being able to witness the events unfold before your very eyes."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Are you serious?!" Harold brightened even more an ran over to the miniature Earth, "Of course you are."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">With Harold reached in and almost instantly began to experience history as if he were right there. It was an absolutely marvelous experience.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Jesus smiled at the million 'thank you's' the smart child of His was giving in his heart as he saw the sights he had been so blessed to see.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Awesome." was all Harold could really say with his mouth.

Harold
<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Harold was not one to be easily impressed. You had to show him something absolutely brilliant to have him gaping in awe.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">And as he stared at the magnificent, shining city as he stood in front of heaven, he was at a complete loss for words. Well, one did escape him.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Awesome." the red-headed nerd said as he closed his eyes and nodded. When he opened them back up, Jesus was standing in front of him, welcoming him into the city.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Well done, my good and faithful servant, Harold." the Lord smiled as he removed the glasses from His child's face, "You won't ever be needing these ever again."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The moment after He said that, the glasses vanished, never to be seen again. But that's not all, Harold's sight was completely restored to normality, the final touch on his glorified body.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Double awesome." Harold gasped in delight as he could see clearer than ever, "You, my God, have the maddest skills in the entire universe."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Why thank you My son." Christ chuckled. Then He grabbed Harold's hand, "Come, I would like to show you something."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Okay, let's do it." Harold nodded, not going to deny his Awesome God. With that entered the gates and walked through the amazing city. All the while commenting on the architecture in the most complicated mathematical terms, spewing praise on the angles and trajectories of all the buildings that surrounded him. Eventually they stumbled Harold's heavenly mansion.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It's so beautiful" Harold beamed. He would have shed a happy tear at the beauty, but he couldn't. There was to be absolutely no tears in heaven.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Why don't you go inside?" Jesus asked as He opened the door to the home. As the red-head walked in, he saw the normal things you would find in a house, only much more amazing, but their was something else. It was in the middle of the room, just floating there.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">It was a rotating globe.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What is this?" Harold asked as he observed the spinning sphere.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You like all the factoids and little trivia bits of history, don't you Harold?"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yeah I do." Harold fist pumped, " It's so wonderful to fill the mind You gave me with knowledge.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Have you ever wanted to experience it first hand?" Jesus asked, already knowing the answer.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yeah, that would be beyond awesome. They would have to invent a new word for how awesome that is."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Well now you can." the Lord smiled, "Simply reach into the globe, think of what moment you want to go to, and enjoy being able to witness the events unfold before your very eyes."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Are you serious?!" Harold brightened even more an ran over to the miniature Earth, "Of course you are."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">With Harold reached in and almost instantly began to experience history as if he were right there. It was an absolutely marvelous experience.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Jesus smiled at the million 'thank you's' the smart child of His was giving in his heart as he saw the sights he had been so blessed to see.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Awesome." was all Harold could really say with his mouth.

Ella
<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ella's elderly eyes finally closed as she was surrounded by her loved one's on her bed. She was content and joyful in her death, But those feelings would not stay. They would be amplified trillion fold. She awoke but a few moments after her earthly life had ended, standing before something amazing.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Oh this is wonderful!" Ella exclaimed as she stood in front of heaven, "At last I am home, no longer will I roam! As I walk inside, my joy will never subside!"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Welcome, my beautiful daughter." Jesus stood at the front of the gates with open arms, "Come into your eternal home."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ella literally skipped towards the entrance, "Oh, would I be allowed to hug You, Father?"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Of course." The Lord said as the pale girl gave Him a tender hug, "Come and see your reward."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">With that they entered the great city and saw all the absolutely glorious sights. All of it was so beautiful it made Ella break out into another song.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"No longer do I walk on streets of mold, but I will stroll on streets of gold!" she sang, "The angels all fly, up high in the sky! ... Thank you for my voice. And for singing in general. it is so wondrous to belt out a tune."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Your welcome, my child. Singing is a wonderful tool I created to sing my praises and uplift both the singer and their audience. You, Ella, have truly used your gift in your life, bringing my unspeakable joy to others when they needed it. You have done very well, my good and faithful servant."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Thank you." Ella nodded as she gave a little curtsie, "It was my pleasure to serve you by being a light to others."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Come." Jesus insisted, "I would like to show you something."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ella was obedient and followed her Savior to a building that emanated with the most amazing and beautiful voices, singing praises to God. It was heavens worship team, if you will.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Oh that sounds so lovely." Ella closed her eyes and enjoyed listening, "If there is anything I love more than singing, its listening to OTHERS sing."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I know." Christ smiled, "Ella, go and join them. Enter the building and sing with the throng inside."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Really?!" Ella was even more overjoyed than she already was, if that was really possible. She looked towards the building, and looked back at Jesus, whom she knew He would be in her heart.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">It was then she ran inside to the stage, where a chorus of people from every tribe, nation, race, and tongue were singing an age-old hymn. Ella joined them onstage and began to sing right along with them.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Amazing Grace! How sweet, the sound! That saved a wrench, like me!" she sang with them in pure joy, "I once was lost, but now I'm found..."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">While they practiced, but one person sat in the audience. That one person was the Person of persons, Jesus, just singing along.

Rodney
<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Rodney old, but still muscular body heaved one final breath as the farmer collapsed onto the ground. Rodney would not know what happened next after his death, as his should was immediately transported north into heaven."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What the..." Rodney's eyes would have almost been blinded at the bright city that lay in front of him, "Is this heaven? It is! Its majesty is more overwhelming than I could have ever imagined."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">As Rodney gawked at the beautiful sight, Jesus walked out through the gates and welcomed him in.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Grab My hand, son." Jesus reached out for his. The ginger looked in awe at the palm and took its invitation, "Let me show you your reward."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Christ led him through the pearly white gates into the glorious city. The sights, smells, and sounds were so much to take in. The glory of it all was beyond any words.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I'm not even quite sure what to say..." Rodney stammered, "It's so.. wonderful. Thank you."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Your very welcome, Rodney. By the way, there's someone I'd like you to meet. Its someone you have always longed for, even when you did not realize it."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Huh?" the farmer wasn't quite sure what his heavenly Pa was talking about, "What do you mean?"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Jesus merely smiled and pointed right of Him and standing there was a woman. She was white, had dimples and red hair, and was very similar to Rodney.

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"My precious child." Christ began, "Throughout your youth, you yearned for the love of a woman whom you had never met. Before you came to Me, you had tried to futility fill your desire with the one-sided love you gave and thought was genuinely returned to you by other girls your age. When you accepted My love, innocent antics ceased, but your heart still longed for that love of a woman. But it wasn't a romantic kind of love. It was the kind only a mother gives."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">That's when it hit Rodney like a sack of potatoes, "Mom!?"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Rodney!" she opened her arms as her earthly child rushed into them, "Welcome home hon. I love you so much and I am so proud of the life you lived."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I love you to Mom." Rodney smiled wider than ever before, "I've always wanted to meet you."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"The feeling is more than mutual." the mom smiled as she stroked his hair, "Come with me to my mansion, I've prepared some warm chocolate chip cookies in my home here."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"That sounds great!" Rodney nodded profusely, "I can't wait to hear all about my mommy!"

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Before the two went to do what they had just planned, they turned around and gave Jesus a warm smile of gratitude, saying one thing at the same time, 'Thank you."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Your welcome, my dear children." He smiled, "Go and enjoy the reaping of what you have sown."

<p style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">With that the two red-heads walked off, as Jesus smiled lovingly at the reunited twosome as they began to know each other as they were always destined to. After all, they had an entire eternity to do so.