A newcomer in heaven

I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door, Not by the beauty of it all, by the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp– the thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics, the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well.

I nudged the angel, “What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake.

And why’s everyone so quiet, so somber? Give me a clue.”

“Hush, child,” said he. “They’re all in shock. No one thought they’d see you.”