Is Heaven for Girls Like Me?

I have a friend named Joy who teaches underprivileged children in an inner city church. Her class is a lively group of nine-year-olds year-olds who love life and aren’t afraid of God. There is one exception, however-a timid girl by the name of Barbara. Her difficult home life had left her afraid and insecure.

For the weeks that my friend was teaching the class, Barbara never spoke. Never. While the other children talked, she sat. While the others sang, she was silent. While the others giggled, she was quiet. Always present. Always listening. Always speechless. Until the day Joy gave a class on heaven. Joy talked about seeing God.

She talked about tearless eyes and deathless lives. Barbara was fascinated. She wouldn’t release Joy from her stare. She listened with hunger. Then she raised her hand. “Mrs. Joy?” Joy was stunned. Barbara had never asked a question. “Yes, Barbara?” “Is heaven for girls like me?”