In Heaven there is no beer.

In heaven there is no beer, that’s why we drink it here.

Ok, I’m not really a beer drinker, but isn’t this an interesting thought? Kind of the antithesis of how I think about heaven. I think of heaven as the place I won’t HAVE to do things that I HAVE to do here on Earth. Surely there won’t be bills to pay or laundry to do in heaven. But the author of the beer quote looks at things the opposite way. What will we not GET to do in heaven that we GET to do here on Earth?

Will there be money in heaven? Probably not, so you won’t have to pay bills, but you also won’t GET to bless people financially. The holiday season is coming up. The Rescue Mission needs money to feed the homeless a decent Thanksgiving dinner. The angel trees will be in every mall, and so will we. To be honest, in the past I have felt this all a burden. Who SHOULD I give to? I HAVE to bring coats for the coat drive. I’m reframing this year. I GET to help others with my financial resources. I won’t GET to do that in heaven, so I’m going to enjoy the opportunity to do now.

What else will we not GET to do in heaven? We won’t GET the chance to forgive people. We won’t GET to love our enemies. I doubt we’ll have a chance to take care of orphans and widows. Will we be able to cast our anxiety upon Him? I doubt we’ll have any, so I’m going to take advantage of my opportunity to do that. I won’t GET to pray for people or encourage them in their spiritual growth, at least I don’t think so. I don’t think that will be needed. I GET to do that now!

In our book, Unwritten Travels, we have a challenge to consider yourself a philanthropist when you serve others instead of a slave. Reframing something can have an amazing impact if we can remember to do it. So, this holiday season, reframe. Be thankful at Thanksgiving. Be thankful for all your blessings, especially all the blessings that we GET to be a part of for the rest of our earthly lives.