Dreaming of Heaven

Do you ever feel as if you don't belong here? On earth, that is? Do you ever get restless and see what could be, but isn't?  I do. More and more these days I am realizing that this planet really isn't my home. There is so much suffering all around us. As a nurse, I often think about the fact that before the fall, there was no death, disease, or abuse. And in heaven there will be none of these things either. In short, I will be out of a job! :-)
As followers of Jesus, we are certainly not immune to suffering. Sometimes this world seems so dark and hopeless and I get hungry for what is ahead. But He is always living in me, ready to fill me up full of  his light and living water. And it is not just a little bit, but enough to share with everyone around me. That is why I am here right now.
I was talking to one of my friends today, telling her about a dream that I have again and again.
In fact, I had it today while I was sleeping after night shift.
It is always a bit different, but it includes greeting and hugging many people that I love and always, being surrounded by happy, laughing children from Africa.
What she said made me stop and smile, "Maybe you are dreaming of heaven."
Now, I do not really think that is what my dream is portraying. But, I do think that what I long for comes out in dreams. I long to be together with all the people I love. In a place of joy, happiness, and light. And when I think about it, what I am really longing for is heaven.
Do you dream of heaven?