Get Real

I have a new favorite book! It is called Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. It was recommended to me a couple of weeks ago and I read a few pages that were available online. I immediately wanted to read more and anxiously waited until it arrived in the mail. It was one of those books I just couldn't put down and I finished it in one day. Last night I picked it up again and started reading it for the second time.

It is an amazing story from the eyes of a father of his son's experiences in heaven. The little boy has a medical emergency which leaves him close to death. After he has recovered and throughout a significant time span, this story comes out about his visit to heaven. It just gave me chills as I read it. I chose to believe that this boy had these amazing experiences. It filled me with hope in so many ways.

The best message I took from the book (the first read through) was a person can be real with God. What a wonderful message as I walk this journey of primary immune deficiency. I can have a conversation with God where I say all that I am, feel and think. I have to admit that in my most angry moments I have even used the "f" word. To me God is like a parent who stand back and lets me vent, cry or throw my temper tantrum. When I am done He gently puts His strong arms around me and says "Now are you done?" And much like I do with my kids, He kisses my head and tells me "I love you." Like my kids, I don't always get what I want, when I want it. But I do always know He is listening.

I suppose that is the best part of my faith. God isn't some Deity sitting on a throne passing judgment. He is this amazing, loving Force who sometimes has to be tough to help me learn and grow. I grew up believing in Him but feeling He had made some major mistake with me. I was never connected to Him and felt that big hole. I endlessly tried to fill the hole with one thing or another. Today there is not gaping hole in my life. It is full with the good, the bad and the plain goofy. I thank God every day for each moment, experience and blessing I have. One of the biggest is a relationship with Him that is real, strong and always present.