“This is not the way I dreamed of spending my Saturday,” I mumbled under my breath. My husband Jacob had to work, so here I was doing all the household chores on a beautiful summer weekend. What I should be doing is swimming at the lake, I said to myself, pulling off the yellow gloves I wore to do the dishes.

I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and more than a little annoyed as I picked up the bottle of spray bleach and headed into the bathroom. A small voice brought me to an abrupt halt.

“Mommy, what is heaven?”

I looked down at Trace, my four-year-old. He was staring up at me, a serious look in his big gray eyes. I swallowed and knelt down, so I could look into his face.

“Well,” I said, trying to think of all the correct biblical answers but drawing a blank, “heaven is . . .” I looked down at the bleach in my hands. “Heaven is . . . a big party.”

“A party?” He looked confused.

“Yes. A big party, where we get to be with God and all the people we love. Remember how much fun you had at Jeremiah’s birthday party? Remember the cake and presents and games?” Trace nodded. “Heaven is like that: a big, wonderful party.”

A smile spread across his face. “Awesome, Mommy,” he said. Then he hugged me and ran off to play.

Lord, when I get caught up in the daily grind, help me remember the wonderful party You have planned.