Is Heaven for Real?

Each and every day we are faced with the proposition of what to do with our day. We can choose to face the world head on with grace, strength, and gusto. We can choose to face the world in fear and depression in response to the challenges that are thrown our way. We can also choose to face the world with no future in mind, but try to live each moment to the fullest.

7 year old Graham Thudium is faced with this decision each day...how am I going to live today? Most of us have heard the phrase "Live as if today were your last," but in Graham's case it takes on more meaning. Graham has a rare form of brain cancer. He has lost his ability to walk, hear, and most of his communication skills due to his cancer. Graham and his family are faced with the daunting news that he will die in the coming months without a miracle. Graham and his family have every right to question God's intentions and divine providence through all of this. They have every right to wake up and simply limp through each day in sadness. In fact, I think if faced with the obstacle that he is faced with each day, a lot of people would have a tough time simply going through each day. Not Graham though.

Graham's favorite book is Heaven is for Real by Colton Burpo (childrens edition). Graham and his mother came today to Western Mennonite School to speak to the students about Graham and the journey that he is on. As Graham began to read from his favorite book the students became quiet and wrapped into the story. Graham would read a page and his mother would re-read the page so the students could understand what Graham had said.

Graham's current story is not the fairy-tale story we would like to hear. He is a little boy who is sick and is progressing towards death. The thing that makes Graham's story so powerful is his perspective on life. He is thrilled to go to Heaven. He knows without a shadow of a doubt that he is going to Heaven to be with Jesus. He knows that Heaven is for real. He knows his Savior personally. He knows that he will see his family again one day. Graham's one desire is to see everyone in Heaven some day. He wants his life to impact other people.

Morgan Bristow (Class of 2012) described chapel this morning this way: "Today’s chapel was very impactful because it helped put my life into perspective. It was neat to see the joy that Graham had despite his conditions and situation. It definitely challenged me to be more bold and joyful because I have a lot in my life to be thankful for. If I could tell Graham one thing it would be to thank him for his attitude toward life. It would be so easy to be sad in his situation, but instead of being negative, he is joyful and happy. I think it is important to have chapels like the one today because it is good to have a taste of reality. It makes us realize how blessed and fortunate we are and that we should be making a bigger difference. Today’s chapel strengthened my belief in God just by seeing the confidence that Graham had. He didn’t talk about Heaven as something that might happen. Instead, he talked about it with a confidence that he will be there eventually."


Today, we had numerous students decide to commit or recommit their lives to God. They made a choice today to live for God, accept Jesus, and see Graham again one day in Heaven. After Graham spoke many students stood and sang from the depths of their heart the song "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, but He washed it white as snow."


Graham's Mother Louise put it this way, "Graham’s father and I are constantly amazed and overwhelmed that Graham’s simple story of faith can be so moving.  We know it’s not just his story, but the story of Christ’s love for each and every one of us.  Graham makes that story more real – puts a face on it."

After Graham had spoke we had Emma Stubblefield (Class of 2012) come up and pray for Graham, his family, and his message of hope. With grace and love Emma prayed and brought a beautiful close to an amazing chapel. Graham Thudium is a brave little boy. He and his family are embracing this journey with strength and confidence in God. We are so thankful for Graham's life and the impact that he had on our students. We will continue to pray for the family and stand with them through this time.

So is Heaven for real? Absolutely, and for little Graham Thudium, it is a reality that he is embracing!