The Waiting Room of Heaven: My Experience at Thorncrown Chapel

My kids know how much I love visiting churches. No matter where I am in the world, these sacred spaces call to me. Each one holds a different kind of magic; some make my soul sing with joy, others stir an ache deep in my heart. Some move me to tears, while others feel like standing at the very edge of heaven. And then there are those that bring me face-to-face with the weight of the crucifixion, a reminder of the immense love and sacrifice.

This weekend, I finally had the chance to visit Thorncrown Chapel. My in-laws had spoken so highly of it, and after reading about its story, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I told my kids, “We have to go.” So, we packed up and drove four hours from Kansas to Arkansas. There was something about this place that felt like it was calling to me; I just had to see it for myself.

And oh, how beautiful it was. From the outside, Thorncrown looks like it grew straight from the earth, its glass walls and intricate wooden beams blending perfectly with the forest around it. The sunlight pours in from every angle, bathing the space in a soft, natural glow that makes it feel alive, like the trees and sky are part of its design.

Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the quiet stillness. A woman sat to the left with a small table of books and photos, her warm smile inviting visitors to browse and support the chapel’s upkeep. A few couples sat on the polished wooden benches, lost in thought. The whole atmosphere felt peaceful, almost sacred.

The chapel’s simplicity only adds to its beauty. Long, glowing wooden benches line the narrow aisle, their sides adorned with small crosses, a humble yet profound symbol of faith. Above, the beams crisscross in perfect harmony, drawing your gaze upward. The glass walls seem to dissolve the line between inside and out, inviting the trees, sunlight, and shadows into the space. Off to the side, a small piano sits quietly, as if waiting for the right moment to fill the air with music.

But what surprised me most was that I didn’t feel as deeply connected as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong, the peace, the quiet, the beauty, it was all there. But there was something else I found myself waiting for, a feeling I couldn’t quite grasp. Hours later, sitting and staring at the pictures I bought from the chapel, I finally found the words.

That feeling, it’s like being in a waiting room, waiting for your name to be called, waiting to have a conversation with the Lord. It’s peaceful, expectant, and still. The way the sunlight streams through the glass, the way nature seems to hold its breath around you,it feels like the perfect place to wait.

I sat there for a while, soaking in the light, the quiet, and the beauty of it all. Maybe I didn’t feel the connection I had hoped for, but I left with a deep sense of peace. And sometimes, that’s enough.