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At the celebration feast after Ryan’s return, Christ had invited him to attend a ceremony at God’s throne in the outdoor theater. Angela accompanied Ryan to the location, and the two entered all alone. There was a glow inside the amphitheater so bright that it was completely white. Ryan was nearly blinded as he tried to look around. The brightness was more intense than any light he had ever seen.
“This must be where halogen comes from,” he said to Angela as his eyes began to adjust. Before him, he saw God’s throne and the small, clear stream of water that flowed from it.
“Hello and welcome, My children,” God spoke.
The two Holy kids walked closer toward the throne, where they saw Jesus standing to the right and me, Gabriel, to the left. On a small table in front of them, Ryan saw a piece of gold from which the white light emanated.
God smiled and motioned for Ryan and Angela to come closer. Ryan examined the smile of the Almighty and said to Angela, “How can a smile say so much? How can just a smile tell me I am loved?”
“I have learned that love is the language of God, Ryan,” she answered.
Naturally, in obedience to God, the two Holy kids walked to His throne and bowed in reverence. Letting go of Angela’s hand, Ryan stepped closer to inspect and saw the most beautiful crown he’d ever imagined. It was made of the same pure gold as St. Peter’s key to the pearly gates and was covered in glistening colored stones and white pearls just like heaven’s gate.
“Way cooler than Burger King’s,” he said to himself. He stood within inches of the crown, and he so wanted just to touch it.
“Go ahead,” Jesus said.
Ryan’s eyes shot to Jesus, and he shouted, “It’s OK?”
“It’s yours, Ryan. By fulfilling the plan God made for you, you have earned it.”
Then God spoke. “All rise for this blessed occasion.”
Ryan wondered who the “all” was, so he looked around. He saw all of heaven watching, waiting to witness yet another part of the Body of Christ fit into place in heaven, receiving his just reward. His Holy kid friends, thousands and thousands of them, were all down in front waving at him. He waved back. Then Ryan began to recognize other faces of people he’d known on earth.
First he saw Aunt Martha May and Uncle Chester then Cousin Virginia, who came there when she was two years old. Next he recognized an old friend from kindergarten and his third-grade Sunday-schoolteacher, who encouraged him to invite Jesus into his heart. There was the cookie-baking neighbor, Mrs. McAlta, smiling and waving. He could almost taste the chocolate chips!
Then he noticed that they were all wearing golden crowns, and each was uniquely different from all the others. Some crowns were narrow golden bands that made him think they were wearing halos. Other crowns were wider and trimmed with small, brilliantly colored stones. And still others were wide, standing high on heads; some were so covered with diamonds that Ryan could barely see the gold that held them together. “Angela! Everyone is wearing a crown,” Ryan exclaimed. You’re wearing one! I never saw the crowns before!”
That soft hand of Angela’s slipped into his hand and pulled him down a couple of inches to the floor, then let go. He turned and looked at her.
“Receiving the crown is part of your reward,” she began. “Every one of us goes on mission when we’re new to heaven, and we each receive our crown when we return. But we are unable to see crowns until we have one of our own. That’s a gift blessing from God.”
“We’ve all stood where you are now, Ryan. After we finished our first mission to glorify God on earth, we stood in this very spot, and He rewarded us.”
The Savior picked up the crown and handed it to Ryan. Ryan gasped and stared at it. He thought it would be heavy, but it was light. He checked it for loose stones, but they were all tightly fitted. On the inside was engraved the name “Ryan Allen.” He wondered about the fit, so he quickly tried it on and found it was just the right size, like the wings and the robe that were made just for him. Ryan slipped it off and grinned.
“Cool! It fits, and God gave me my favorite colors.”
Everyone laughed.
Jesus took the crown from Ryan and led him to God. Taking the crown from Jesus, God looked Ryan in the face and said, “You lived your life on earth with discipline. You practiced running with speed like your earthly father. You were obedient and followed the instructions of both of your parents. You were helpful to your brothers. When you sinned, you knew it and humbly asked to be forgiven. When you asked Me to guide you in doing what was right, you followed My instruction.
“‘Run,’ I told you. ‘Run with all your strength.’ Through your obedience in learning to run fast on earth, you became just the person I had planned for you to be. I took you from earth exactly when planned. Here, we instructed you in your purpose and sent you back to your hometown to minister to the many lost youths. You were quick, getting to a place of danger in time to catch the child’s hand before he was injured. With My spirit, you worked to save the life of a special little one who otherwise would not have been born. And you encouraged thousands the youth of Keyota to seek My Spirit and become born again. This crown of many jewels is your reward for obedience to Me.”
God placed the crown on Ryan’s head. “This is for a job well done. Thank you, My fine and faithful servant, Ryan Allen.”
Ryan thanked his heavenly Father for life itself, for saving his soul, and for never abandoning him. He thanked God for hearing and answering prayers from people on earth who need Him, for His comfort and perfect love, for wisdom, and for all things in creation.
Ryan stood tall on his feet and reached up to feel the golden crown that, like his wings, instantly became a part of his body. Remembering a song he’d learned in Bible school, Ryan sang, solo and a cappella, in praise to God Almighty.
As we all began singing praises, God looked at me, Gabriel, and whispered the name “Nicholas,” so I took off to get his set of white wings, and St. Peter took off for the gate.