This is my current favorite song. And it makes me smile.

Hit play and I'll tell you why :) Don't watch the video, just keep reading!

geesh, Helena?! Blog background music??!!... I know, I know, I'm thoughtful.

Why is this my favorite song?

I love to imagine the greatness and the glory of heaven.

And something about heaven brings me to a child-like euphoric joy.

Like "screaming my lungs out in a playground, swinging high" kind of joy.

So that's exactly what I went and did!

Got off work, still in my scrubs, and wandered off to find an empty park.

God had it reserved for me.

It's usually full of kids, but I arrived to find the

perfect squeaky swingset ready to go just for me...

I sank my feet in the wood chips, grasped the rusty chains, and looked up to see the sun almost setting.

The perfect tree-to-sky ratio in view.

Closed my eyes, and smiled. Took a deep breath.

Then my life became dream-like

One push and I feel the air on my face.

The swingset groaning with my adult weight, oh well. I swing higher.

Joy.

The purest kind of joy.

In the air. In this park.

I'm flying.

Laughing.

Tears threaten to spill over as I try to imagine anything better than this.

And my only answer is heaven.

The only way I can feel any closer to my amazing, loving Father is to be in His eternal presence.

And I worship Him.

God, there is no place like home.

And my home isn't here.

Reality trickles in as I slow down.

Kicking the wood chip, I bring myself to a stop.

Daddy, why can't it always be like this? Just a playground? Why do I have to get off this swingset and face reality? Reality hurts. This world is so broken.

But He promises to guide me and be with me. Hold me when everything does fall apart. And besides, He has a big plan for me.

He's sending me to broken places, to bring light and hope and my swingset joy. I'm bringing a little heaven!

And maybe then, there will be a glimpse of glory in even the darkest of places.

Reassured, refreshed, renewed, I fish my car keys out of my pocket.

In the rearview mirror, I see the park...

              ...and in the back of my mind I'm home