On the Stairway to Heaven

Bonnie Drury reflects on Heaven, reminding us that if we focus more on heaven, our earthly journey will be lighter and less fraught with dangerous detours.

You can imagine my surprise when I realized I’d never written about Heaven, our eternal home. I’d thought about it, sure, but my life was mostly focused on how to get through each day here on earth. Yet Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” 

Thinking of What is Above 

According to Scripture and the Church, Heaven is real. We’ve heard testimony from those who have died and come back. After near-death experiences, people return to this life with a new sense of wonder, a stronger faith, and no fear of death. They are filled with awe, and their priorities have changed forever. When Our Blessed Mother accepted death before her victorious Assumption into Heaven, she showed us that we need not fear, but rather look forward to our rewards. There are pleasures prepared for us that we cannot comprehend. 

Was I just going to muddle my way through, or take a more active approach into this journey to our forever home? Reaching out to others is a sure-fire way to forget our own troubles. Look outward, not inward. Every time you bring a smile to someone else’s face, it warms your own heart. The main character in Gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius, said, “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” The Rosary is one of the best ways to know Jesus and Mary better. They both give us clear examples of how to live a faith-filled life. 

It’s too easy to be caught up in worldly things and pursuits. Too easy to ignore that examination of conscience we need before Confession, or any time. In fact, a daily examination of conscience could keep us on that narrow path. Do we spend our time wisely or squander it away on foolish things? Do we realize the wonder and glory that awaits us as faithful servants? Or is it just a vague and distant dream? 

Many of us have loved ones who have gone before us. We miss them and yearn for one more word, an embrace, a gentle smile. We feel confident that we’ll see them again, but do we include them in our daily prayers? Do we keep our promises as one Church, one Body? 

What Is Heaven Like? 

What is heaven like? On May 2, 1996, Billy Graham said, “My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world,” during his speech upon receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Thomas Moore wrote, “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” This line comes from a hymn he wrote in 1816, “Come Ye Disconsolate.” 

Revelation 22:1-4 tells us that Heaven is a place of beauty and plenty. We’ve been taught that our God wants us to be happy, so He will provide. Will we suffer here on earth? Most likely. But Scripture assures us: 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away. (Revelation 21:4) 

What else does Revelation tell us about Heaven? Verse 21:23 says there will be no need for the sun because God gives it light. Revelation 21:25 says there will be no night. Verse 22:12 promises there will be rewards, according to what we have done.  

Philippians 3:20-21 talks about the glorious bodies we’ll receive. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the lame will walk. We’ll never be sick or feel pain again. 

Revelation 3:11 speaks of crowns. When I was a child and was good, my mother always said, “There will be stars in your crown, Bonnie Lee.” At the time, I felt that chocolate would be reward enough, but I’ve learned that my mother knew best.  There will be streets and gates of gold and pearl (Revelation 21:21) and walls of precious stones (Revelation 21:18). Isaiah 65:21 tells us there will be houses and vineyards. But what matters most is what my 11-year-old granddaughter, Mia, believes: “Heaven is where Jesus is, and we want to be with Him forever.” So simple, yet so profound. 

 I’m getting the picture of a beautiful, serene place where pain does not exist. I’m anticipating seeing my parents, grandparents, cousins, and friends who have already completed this journey. Joy fills me at this thought, so yes, I will think of heaven more often and try to obtain and retain the state of grace. 

This is a rocky road, this path to our heavenly home. The Church we love gives us so many helps along the way. It’s true. If we focus more on Heaven, our earthly journey will be lighter and less fraught with harmful sadness and dangerous detours. 

As the old hymn proclaims, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be; when we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!” 

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Copyright 2026 Bonnie Drury
Images: Canva
Previously published in Ava Lalor Frecker’s Caeli.