Heaven's Porch Swing

My quivering heart sat quiet, then still

As I looked through eternity’s windowsill

And peered into waters deep

And pondered heaven's doors to keep.

And yearned with such a longing to be nearer and to hold,

For heaven's mystery to unfold…

Stretched across the heaven’s height,

The stars illuminating light,

The floor of heaven shining bright…

Whose deep array, could not display

Such beauty without the darkness of the night…

Or captivate with such meaning,

Without the silence of their unspoken words.

With which they speak volumes to my heart,

Amidst the suffering and the pain,

Of God’s beauty and artwork…

Woven by His loving hand.

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“Lift up your eyes on high

And see who has created these stars,

The One who leads forth their host by number,

He calls them all by name;

Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,

Not one of them is missing.”

— Isaiah 40:26

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When I read this poem, I imagine sitting outside on a quiet evening, looking up at the stars, and feeling an overwhelming sense of the closeness of eternity. It’s an incredible “thin space” moment where Heaven becomes something intimate and real, in a very familiar and comforting way that speaks volumes. Its awe and wonder are things you cannot package with words, no matter how hard you might try.