How Artemis II Made Me See Heaven’s Meadow Again
As I sat watching the live coverage of NASA’s Artemis II mission this week, my heart swelled with wonder. On April 6, 2026, the four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—made their historic closest approach to the Moon. They flew just thousands of miles above the lunar surface, capturing views of the far side never seen before by human eyes, while gazing back at Earth as a fragile, glowing blue-and-white marble suspended in the blackness of space.
Awe, Memory, and the Vastness of God
From that immense distance, there were no borders, no divisions. Only one beautiful planet with swirling oceans and majestic mountains, held perfectly in place by the creative power of God. The crew described the sight as breathtaking. During the profound 40-minute period of silence behind the Moon, when all radio contact with Earth was lost, they experienced a rare solitude that invited deep reflection. It reminded me how small we are, yet how deeply loved and sustained by Father God.
That same day, April 6, Facebook surfaced a memory from 2019. There I was, smiling in the very dress I wore on that life-changing day in 1998, when 13 weeks pregnant, I collapsed unconscious in my doctor’s office. While my body lay still, my spirit left and walked on heaven’s green meadow—soft grass underfoot, surrounded by indescribable peace, healing, and the presence of this large person walking by my side. Later encounters brought me even closer to the Light of Jesus Himself and glimpses of eternity.
Seeing that photo again on the very day humanity was reaching new distances in space felt like a divine whisper. The Artemis crew touched the edge of our physical universe, yet my near-death journeys carried me infinitely closer. To Heaven’s very grounds! Both experiences stir the same awe: the God who keeps oceans and mountains “floating” in perfect balance is the same One who met me in my unconscious moments with healing and hope.
The creativity and courage behind Artemis II inspire us all to dream bigger and cherish this precious Earth we share. At the same time, they turn our eyes toward the eternal. Whether we explore the stars with rockets or encounter the vastness of God through moments of surrender, we are reminded that our biggest impact may still lie ahead.
Did this historic flight awaken fresh wonder in your heart? Wonder at creation, at unity, your past, and at the loving God who holds it all? If you’ve had your own moments of heaven touching earth, I’d love to hear them in the comments.
With love and eternal hope,
Susan
Author of Touched By Eternity: A True Story of Heaven, Healing, and Angels
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