THANKS. I’LL PASS ON HEAVEN

by Mariane Holbrook

“I don’t want to go to heaven; it will be so boring there.”
And with that, my teenage son let out a sigh.
“I’ve looked at lots of pictures that famed artists tried to paint
And each one left me wondering just why

“A place that should be full of color will be bathed in white
Much like a sterile hospital would be,
Or why the saints who’ll spend a whole eternity up there
Will yearn to see one bright red cherry tree.

“The artists up in heaven now must shake in disbelief
That on their palette all they see is white.
No lovely pastel colors and no brilliant yellow hues
To paint a masterpiece of pure delight.”

“My son,” I cried, “I don’t know what translation you have read
But nowhere in God’s Word does it imply
That white’s the only color we will see in heaven above
And these are words on which you can rely.

“Drive through the mountains of Vermont to see the maples there.
You’ll gasp at brilliant leaves of red and gold.
Or walk among the orange groves that dot the Southern coasts
It truly is a sight you should behold.

“If you should walk in springtime through the tulips gardeners grow
Or see the pink azaleas in full bloom,
You might see purple crocuses or yellow daffodils
That someone grew outside their dining room.

“The God of all creation mixed these colors one fine day
Upon His palette spread by stands of fir.
He chose a tiny violet that poked up through the sod
And painted it a lovely lavender.

“Do you not think that God who made the skies cerulean blue,
Who splashed the poppy fields with glorious red
Would ask His chosen bride up there to try to be content
Surrounded only just by white instead?

“But He selected white for His beloveds’ bridal gowns;
It represents their pristine purity.
Millions of those redeemed who stand before the throne of God
Will wear white robes of His security.

“The angels will be dressed in white, their wings that color, too.
The Great White Throne is also mentioned there.
There is no doubt that white will represent His holiness;
A fitting color that’s beyond compare.

“My son, I can assure you that you’ll love the place God’s planned;
It wasn’t just created on a whim.
God used all colors as a gift of beauty for His bride.
But all pales when comparing it to Him.”