Smiles in Heaven
Nov 18, 2025 by Addison Crissone
As we grow closer to the holidays, many of us are filled with nostalgia and joy that the season can bring - rushing here and there to find those perfect gifts that our loved ones will adore, and savoring all the hot chocolate we can get our hands on.
But for some, it is hard.
For me, it is hard.
Because with the memories of holidays past come the memories of those we once enjoyed the days with. Grandparents, parents, spouses, and siblings. Daughters and sons gone too soon, or friends who are no longer present for the little things, leaving you feeling empty and worn before the holiday has even begun.
But my friend, there are smiles in Heaven. Rest assured about that.
How do I know that there are smiles in heaven? How do I know that our loved ones who have left us are smiling, are happy, and experiencing all the wondrous facets of glory? How do I know that despite all the grief, pain, and suffering of this world that we still inhabit, how do I know that though we are hurting, they are not?
Because where they are, there is no pain. No tears. No mourning or sorrow.
No more death.
But for some, it is hard.
For me, it is hard.
Because with the memories of holidays past come the memories of those we once enjoyed the days with. Grandparents, parents, spouses, and siblings. Daughters and sons gone too soon, or friends who are no longer present for the little things, leaving you feeling empty and worn before the holiday has even begun.
But my friend, there are smiles in Heaven. Rest assured about that.
How do I know that there are smiles in heaven? How do I know that our loved ones who have left us are smiling, are happy, and experiencing all the wondrous facets of glory? How do I know that despite all the grief, pain, and suffering of this world that we still inhabit, how do I know that though we are hurting, they are not?
Because where they are, there is no pain. No tears. No mourning or sorrow.
No more death.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.
He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things
have passed away."
- Revelation 21:3-4
He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things
have passed away."
- Revelation 21:3-4
The former things- the things of this earth here below, of pain, sorrow, danger, fear, mourning, suffering, trials, and death- have all passed away.
For them, the pain is no more.
And there are smiles in Heaven.
I know that this does not take away the grief or weight that we carry after someone has left us, but it can ease the burden if we just picture our loved ones smiling in Heaven as they look down on us as we travel through these lives we live. Friend, I am of the belief that God does allow our loved ones glimpses of earth, though only the truly happy moments we experience.
For there is only Joy in Heaven.
And, as I have said, smiles.
For them, the pain is no more.
And there are smiles in Heaven.
I know that this does not take away the grief or weight that we carry after someone has left us, but it can ease the burden if we just picture our loved ones smiling in Heaven as they look down on us as we travel through these lives we live. Friend, I am of the belief that God does allow our loved ones glimpses of earth, though only the truly happy moments we experience.
For there is only Joy in Heaven.
And, as I have said, smiles.
