My friend Ruth-Anne knows cookies. We got to know each other at a barbecue that a mutual friend held one summer day. The sun was shining, the kids were in the pool and the adults were sitting around chatting. Ruth-Anne walked around and said "Here, have a cookie." I took one and she walked away. We kept talking and I took a bite. As I chewed, something happened. Certain neurons in my brain started to fire. I took another bite. My senses became focused on that cookie. It actually interrupted our conversation. One after the other we began to remark, "WOW! These are sooooo good!" I've had those cookies many times since that first time yet I always wind up responding the same way. I bite it, chew a couple of times, let it melt in my mouth. My eyes close for a moment, the taste is really overwhelming, it really is. And then I say, "Mmmmmm...sooo good."

Ruth-Anne does this all the time. She bakes a batch for many church events. Not only does she make an incredible cookie, SHE LOVES TO MAKE THEM! My guess is that she sees how much pleasure her friends and family get out of it and that gives her joy.
I've heard of her legendary technique. Something about the order and the timing of preparation. The number of times you mix the batter, how long it's cooked for. It is truly an art for which she is a master. I hear that she even had a business selling them at one time

The other day I was meditating, not about this life, but about the one to come. I thought of all the people I'd like to see in heaven and I thought about Ruth-Anne. I imagined her coming out from her heavenly dwelling with a fresh made batch of cookies. "Here, have a cookie." "Mmmmmm...sooo good." I love her because she is a beautiful person, not because of her cookies. But the cookies sure do bless me!

I believe the fulfillment that we will have in heaven will have a lot to do with what we did on earth. I don't believe that heaven will be an eternal resort, laying out in the glory, catching some rays. I believe that we will have tasks, jobs. I believe that the tasks will be ones that bring us joy and pleasure and bless others. Remember what Jesus said to in the parable of the talents. "...I will put you in charge over X (number of) cities. Come enter into the joy of your Lord." I believe that part of Ruth Anne's eternal pleasure will be making those cookies and blessing others with them. And part of our pleasure will be enjoying them.