Unseen and Unheard

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart.  All the things God prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9, VOICE)[i]

I believe it’s difficult for mortal human beings to think about the immortality of Heaven. One day when I arrive in Heaven (in my immortal body) I am sure my heavenly Father’s presence will be the focus of my mind. All the questions I wanted to ask him won’t really matter now.

As a mortal human, I am looking forward to the reunions in that celestial place with my father (who died in a car accident when I was only 14), my younger brother (Jim) who died of a seizure when he was 25), and our eight miscarriage children most of all under more positive circumstances this time (Taylor Lee, Brook Lynn, Lou Diamond, Erin McKenzie, Carroll Reese, Laurel Hope, Bailey Glenn, and Dorian Haley Kinker).

I want to finally father them with a big hug and kiss as I could not the first time I joyously became aware of them. I want to finally reassure them that their mother and I wanted to parent them if we had been given the chance (as we did their sister Allena Desire’e Kinker). If I should go first before Bobbi does, in this place that does not know the concept of time that their mother will be there soon (and she has always loved the). Neither one of us ever forgot them on Earth.

I believe the song, "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe, is the best description a mortal human can have of that place. Allow your mind to wonder to thoughts of the afterlife as you get a visual image of Heaven.

 I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine, yeah

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the sun/son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever—forever worship You

I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever—forever worship You
I can only imagine

When I think of what I will be doing in Heaven, Ray Boltz’s song, "Thank You,” Comes to mind. When I visualize this song I think of my now-living mother. She has lived what’s described in the lyrics. I am with the mother (in her mid-thirties) that I knew as a teenager.

I never get a good look at what age I am in the song I am too occupied with what my mother is experiencing. In this place, I know it will dawn on us finally how important those unnoticed acts of generosity actually were. For anyone, who saw my mother as a friend, you will realize this song is a lyrical song of thanksgiving to her. (Do you know of someone this song could fit?)

I dreamed I went to Heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now
And then he said but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

One by one they came
Far as the eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed

And I know that up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave

 

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[i]   This is the verse referred to in this scripture:  From long ago no one has ever heard of a God like you. No one has ever seen a God besides you. You help the people who trust you. (Isaiah 64:4)

 

A complete Kinker family portrait cartooned by me. (The dog, Allena, Bobbi, and me existed. The rest of my children were adapted from various family and friend pictures when they were younger.)