Heaven is For Real, by Todd Burpo (with Lynn Vincent)

This book is everywhere these days. And although I was curious about it, I was more than a little skeptical, too.

I probably shouldn't be.

If I really believe what I say I believe, why would I have troubling accepting that perhaps God does allow some people glimpses into Heaven? He certainly has the ability to do so. Yet instead of accepting this possibility by faith, I tend to assume the author of a book like this is motivated by recognition or wealth.

But what if I'm wrong?

If I'm wrong, then I'm missing out on an opportunity to be amazed. I'm ignoring a chance to let myself really imagine the awe of Heaven and a God who loves us more than we can imagine. I'm limiting myself to what I see on Earth, unable to grasp anything beyond what I can see or hear or touch.

So as I read Heaven is For Real (Thomas Nelson, 2010), I read with the assumption that what I was reading might actually be true. I read as a Christian, excited to see all the things Colton Burpo said he had seen while his body was undergoing an appendectomy. I read as a mom who got all teary-eyed when Colton told his dad he had seen his sister in Heaven, a baby that had been miscarried years earlier, a baby Colton's parents had not yet told him about, a baby he said looked a lot like his living sister, but with his mom's dark hair. A baby that didn't have a name in Heaven because it had never been given a name on Earth.

And you know what? I sort of loved this little book, and I hope every word is true. Because I really think it could be.