Here's my heaven, heart to heart

So, following on from yesterday, I've been thinking about when I've experienced what I'd most like heaven to be like. Here are some times it's felt like heaven:

Any unhurried hanging out with my loved ones - snuggling on the sofa watching TV; chilling under the duvet sharing what's on our minds; tea and cake with a friend whilst we've put the world to rights and had a good old moan about everything that's unfair, secure in the knowledge that we wouldn't be judged but get tons of support.

At retreats I've been on when we all have had chance just to hang out, enjoy each other's company, be fully accepted. Every single NCBI workshop I've ever attended where we have bonded as a group as we got to love each other in such a short space of time.

Communal singing. On a stage, in a church, at a practice. One particular highlight was on the back of a lorry slowly making our way through the streets of Preston, singing "people all over the world, join hands, start a love train, love train" whilst strangers on the street joined hands and joined in :)

When walking amongst hills, opening up or just chatting about random things, at ease, having fun, fresh air, beautiful surroundings, beautiful hearts and minds exposed.

Each of those one to one conversations where I and others have risked sharing a little bit more of ourselves. Maybe whilst walking the dog, or via email, or on social media, or at a work or voluntary home visit. All lovely.

That silliness that drops barriers. Rolling down a hill with a friend. Playing daft group games. Giggling.

Being in it together. One happy time that I hold dear is following the double puncture, having waited hours, we were rescued and piled into the back of the pick up truck. There was something wonderful about the four of us in the back of the overwarm cab, safe despite the roads still being a bit risky.

Any hug ever.

Those dreamtimes when anything is possible. Is it just me that sometimes wakes and feels disappointed, that the icecream in my dream doesn't exist in reality? That the gatherings in my dreams are just not going to happen by day as I have to get up and face the frustrations of the day. Still, despite those pesky tasks on my to-do list, I'm lucky enough to meet heart to heart with people all the time. I'm off on a pastoral visit shortly, and this weekend there's much relaxation scheduled, even a spa. I hope you encounter heaven numerous times today, whatever your heaven looks and feels like. Thanks for listening to, and playing your part in mine :)