I really enjoyed reading this chapter. I was floored when I saw this about windows in heaven.! Interesting story: I met a woman at a library where I was giving a poetry reading in 2008. She asked me if I had any poetry that dealt with a daddy going to heaven. She said her 5 year-old son was having a very hard time because his daddy died and he just didn’t understand.
At the time, I had nothing to help her with. I told her I would see if I could write one for her. About a week later, I called with my poem about “Windows in Heaven”. I put the poem in my first book after I gave it to her. She said it helped him understand.
“…And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
“What are the actual odds of landing on this exact verse right now?” Indeed!
Windows in Heaven
(pg. 53, “Barking Spiders Poetry (and Other Such Stuff), 2009)
Ah — moved beyond words. 🥺 we have a five year old in my extended family whose Daddy’s just gone away, not to Heaven, but will be away for a while, and she doesn’t understand.
Your line
“Sometimes Daddies just can't stay
Even though we wish they could”
hits an archetypal emotional chord with all fathers.
As painful as it is, sometimes people have to leave to give their loved ones space to grow
Thank YOU! Your poem really struck a chord with me. The original chapter title (written several years ago) was “Getting Biblical” and it changed to “The Windows of Heaven” this morning.
Feels as though ‘our’ main character has reached a pivotal point. A convergence. No more speculation or coincidence. The church was the perfect place to literally lend credence. Especially for Paul.
“Hit me over the head with it.”
Nicely done.
“The last bastions of all fear and doubt evaporated into the ether. And the sheer awestruck humility filling Paul’s heart threatened to overwhelm him right there in the church, and he just sat there, quiet tears shining down his face, hoping he didn’t jump up in the middle of the congregation or break out in tongues or something.”
Quite powerful, this opening to trust. Of how easy it is to let doubt creep back in. I love that Paul experiences this serendipity as humility. Such a good reminder of how little we actually know.
Thank you, E.T.
I really enjoyed reading this chapter. I was floored when I saw this about windows in heaven.! Interesting story: I met a woman at a library where I was giving a poetry reading in 2008. She asked me if I had any poetry that dealt with a daddy going to heaven. She said her 5 year-old son was having a very hard time because his daddy died and he just didn’t understand.
At the time, I had nothing to help her with. I told her I would see if I could write one for her. About a week later, I called with my poem about “Windows in Heaven”. I put the poem in my first book after I gave it to her. She said it helped him understand.
“…And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
“What are the actual odds of landing on this exact verse right now?” Indeed!
Windows in Heaven
(pg. 53, “Barking Spiders Poetry (and Other Such Stuff), 2009)
by C.J. Heck
I know sometimes that clouds bring rain
In wintertime it's snow.
And spring is good because it makes
The pretty flowers grow.
I know that God is everywhere
And angels all have wings,
That dogs can't talk and bunnies hop.
I know so many things.
But why do Daddies go away?
It makes kids and Mommies sad.
Are there windows up in Heaven?
Did I do something bad?
Mommy said it's not like that ...
Children all are good.
Sometimes Daddies just can't stay
Even though we wish they could.
She said Daddy loves me most of all
Not to think he doesn't care ...
And he sees me from the windows ...
God just needs him more up there.
Thank you so much for sharing this 🙏
Ah — moved beyond words. 🥺 we have a five year old in my extended family whose Daddy’s just gone away, not to Heaven, but will be away for a while, and she doesn’t understand.
Your line
“Sometimes Daddies just can't stay
Even though we wish they could”
hits an archetypal emotional chord with all fathers.
As painful as it is, sometimes people have to leave to give their loved ones space to grow
Thank you, E.T. You’re so right.
Thank YOU! Your poem really struck a chord with me. The original chapter title (written several years ago) was “Getting Biblical” and it changed to “The Windows of Heaven” this morning.
Amazing! A synchronicity!
Feels as though ‘our’ main character has reached a pivotal point. A convergence. No more speculation or coincidence. The church was the perfect place to literally lend credence. Especially for Paul.
“Hit me over the head with it.”
Nicely done.
“The last bastions of all fear and doubt evaporated into the ether. And the sheer awestruck humility filling Paul’s heart threatened to overwhelm him right there in the church, and he just sat there, quiet tears shining down his face, hoping he didn’t jump up in the middle of the congregation or break out in tongues or something.”
Where will he go from here!
Pretty excited for him myself!
Goes without saying, which means I should say it anyway: Thank you so much for investing your time and energy in my writing - it means a lot.
Quite powerful, this opening to trust. Of how easy it is to let doubt creep back in. I love that Paul experiences this serendipity as humility. Such a good reminder of how little we actually know.