There are three places on earth that come the closest to what I think heaven might be like. The first is the beach. I have so many friends who have told me how close they feel to God at the beach. We still have several weeks to go, but I am looking forward to our trip to the beach. The peace and presence of God is so profound to me while I am at the beach; I can’t wait.

            The second place is in the mountains. I have a nephew out in Montana who posts breathtaking pictures of the mountains. I imagine he senses paradise with every hike he takes. For me, it is going up to Sparta to spend the day with a special couple who welcome me into their home like a cool breeze on a warm summer day. There are some awesome views as you approach the mountains going out of Elkin. I feel like God is riding with me as we take in the beauty of His creation.

            The third place I feel like heaven is actually two locations here in town. My wife and I love to spend time in garden centers. One is a wholesale and retail operation just outside of town. We can spend hours just walking around and looking at all the beautiful plants. We don’t feel rushed, but we do feel appreciated. We just like to walk the aisles and look at all the beautiful plants and flowers. It’s peaceful there and the presence of God moves quietly among the plants. We both feel so happy there.

            The other garden center is in town. The owner and employees make us feel welcome as we browse. The beauty of the flowers and plants touches our hearts in ways nothing else on earth can. Even though this garden center is on a busy road, the peacefulness is almost palpable. The joy we feel while picking out plants cannot be eclipsed because the presence of the Lord makes the experience complete.

            You may be wondering why I left off church as a place I experience the presence of the Lord. I didn’t. On Sunday, I was caught lingering in the front of the church after praying with some folks. I didn’t want to leave because His grace, peace, and love were enveloping me. I was with my Heavenly Daddy and I didn’t want to go. Yes, I can experience God’s awesome presence at church because I know He is there.

            I believe we can experience heaven on earth anywhere. We are getting a thunderstorm as I write these words and I can sense His presence. I am enjoying the rain and the rolling thunder and He is enjoying me as I press into His presence. Do you realize that God enjoys being in our presence? The enemy tries to convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love and presence, but Jesus already took care of that. Jesus paid the price with His life so ALL could enter God’s presence.

            I want to be the kind of man who helps others experience God’s presence. I want to be a vessel so filled with His love and acceptance that I would be like a refreshing, cold glass of ice water on a hot summer day. I am hungry for more of God so I can take Him wherever I go. I want to experience Him more everywhere and in all my daily activities.

            If I can welcome Him more in my daily life, I can share Him with everyone I meet. I want to be so infused by heaven that everywhere I go I bring heaven with me. I want others to be able to drink from the overflow in my life. If I can share a taste of heaven with others, maybe they will become thirsty for more of Him. I want others to see Jesus in me and thereby want more of Him for themselves. I meet a lot of people in my daily life who need a touch from heaven and I hope that God can work and flow through me.

            I want to encourage you to allow a little more of heaven inside of you. People around you need to know that God is real, that He is present with you in your daily life. People need to know that God loves them, just the way they are. They don’t need to get cleaned up before they come to Him. All they need to do is come. If they can see that kind of hope and love in you and me, maybe they can find a little piece of heaven on earth.

Contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com