The Fair and Heaven

My wife and I took in the California Midwinter Fair and Fiesta last Friday. For those not in the know, the CMF&F (as I like to call it, okay I don’t really call it that, but it’s a lot to type out the other way) is Imperial Valley’s county fair. I have been hooked on the fair since I arrived in Imperial Valley in 1974. When I was in high school it was a great place to talk to girls, and hopefully get a few numbers. It was always weird to me how many girls had the same phone number as a pizza place or some other restaurant. Who knew?

When I got married the fair was (and still is) a good place to show off how blessed I am to have such a beautiful wife. I proudly walk with Lanette all over, hoping that someone I know sees me and notices her.

I took my kids to the fair. There is something very cool about introducing your kids to something that has been a part of your life for so long. My kids would walk around, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and get a stomachache. It was perfect!

The last couple of years I was able to take my grandson, Soren, with me. A new generation of Godsey to walk around the fair with and show off to friends and coworkers.

The fair has Polish Corn Dogs from the stand across from the Sheriff’s Command Post. They are awesome, and I only get them at the fair. I like walking through the building with all of the cheesy sales guys trying to hawk cookware or healing orthotics for you shoes.

The other thing I love about the fair is seeing people that I know. I will run into people I haven’t seen for years, spend a few minutes catching up, and then move on to the next person or sight. It’s great!

I think that heaven is going to be a lot like that. After we get over the initial shock of actually being in heaven and seeing Jesus face to face, we are going to look around and see friends and loved ones who have gone on before us. My grandparents will be there to greet me. Grandma will hug me and Grandpa will feign shock that I made it!

Many of you have friends or family who have passed away.  In the last year I have seen friends lose loved ones and it is always difficult.  We’re just not prepared to handle the loss of someone we love.  Heaven is going to be great because we’ll get to see people we miss so badly.

Make no mistake about it, though, heaven can only be solace for you if you are living for Christ.  Not everybody gets to go to heaven. You can’t ignore God’s call all of your life and then expect him to welcome you with open arms when your life is over.  God has given you the option of living any way you desire.  He won’t stop you.  He has put roadblocks in your way, but if you want to bad enough, you can get past them.

This column is a roadblock.  I know that not everybody who reads it is a Christian.  In fact, I bank on that fact.  I hope that what you have read today makes you stop and think about what comes after this life is over.  You’ve got to make a choice, make sure you choose well.  The consequences are for eternity.

If, on the other hand, you have accepted Christ and are living for Him, your reward awaits you!  The best thing about heaven won’t be angels or streets of gold.  It won’t be mansions or any of that other stuff.  The best thing about heaven will be being reunited with our friends and loved ones.  And that includes the one who loved us enough to die for us so we could get to the reunion.  You remember him, don't you?  His name is Jesus.

Waiting to see my old friends... Jerry