I had heard of this book long before I decided to pick it up. I’ve read books about near death experiences and about visits to heaven but I’m not one to read every book on the subject. I am certain of my future. I have the promises of the Bible.

However, one day after the recommendations of several friends, I did decide to read “Heaven is For Real.”

It is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who entered heaven during emergency surgery. The little boy, Colton, survived life threatening physical trauma through prayerful intervention. After leaving the hospital, he began to voluntarily share information from his visit to heaven. When he shared his knowledge of exactly where his mother and father were during the surgery and what they were doing, they decided to take him seriously. Gradually, he revealed more of his experience including meeting his sister - a baby his mother miscarried before he was born.

The book, Heaven is For Real is written by the boy’s father Todd Burpo, who also tells his own side of the story, including the agony of his son’s unknown illness, surgery and recovery. Colton’s input is written in the heart warming simple language of a four year old.

This is a short book - a quick read. I could have finished it within a couple of hours, but it took much longer. Every time Colton revealed something he had seen or experienced in heaven, I needed to put the book down and let it sink in making sure that it agreed with what I knew of Scripture. What I took away was the nearness and gentleness of Jesus as seen through the eyes of a four year old boy.

I choose to believe that this story is true. Most of what Colton revealed in his story is confirmed by the Bible and not something a four year old would have read or even heard of. There are a few things that are not found in the Bible but I have found nothing that contradicts them.

I recommend this book for anyone. It is heart-warming and encouraging. Since reading Heaven is For Real, I have purchased a copy for a friend who experienced a miscarriage and another copy for a friend who recently lost a loved one. It’s an easy way to comfort and encourage.

I purchased “Heaven is For Real” with my own money. Find it on Amazon.com here:

Heaven Is for Real