I’ve developed this routine lately, and I’m thankful for it. The best part of my day usually takes place in the late afternoon / early evening when Sunny and I load the kids in the stroller, put the dog on the leash and take a walk through our neighborhood. If you walk the sidewalk through our little corner of the world, a flurry of activity blossoms before you: neighbors chatting in short sleeves and flip flops, the sounds of children playing and laughing, the smell of freshly cut grass on the cool air. People are always in their yard piddling about, quick to flash a smile and wave in your direction. Of course, we get a lot more attention with our two little ones in tow, but you get the picture.

For me, the sidewalk in our neighborhood is my Eden. It’s where I go to walk with my God and my loved ones. It centers me, gives me peace. It’s the place where everything in my world seems right. I wish that half hour or so that we walk could stretch out even longer. I guess that’s how I envision heaven. If I could somehow encapsule what I feel in that moment and multiply it for all eternity, maybe that’s what heaven is like.

I hope there are sidewalks in heaven. I hope we’ll be able to walk down the streets in the Kingdom to come and wave to our neighbors and enjoy the view. In the place where lion and lamb lie together. In a land where pain and sin and death will occupy my thoughts no more. A place where the true community of God will reside in an unending day forevermore. Today, especially today, that thought gives me peace.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure there’ll be sidewalks in heaven.