Heaven and Freewill

Two weeks ago I wrote a blog on Haiti and the universal question of why does God allow suffering.  It got me thinking about Heaven.  Current theology basically goes along the lines that Heaven will be a perfect place with no more hurts, pains, and death.  Sounds great doesn't it.  But the question at the back of my mind is, why didn't God create this when He created Earth?  Then we could have avoided the suffering now being dealt with in Haiti.

Maybe God did - maybe Eden was as perfect as Heaven is going to be.  But then that would suggest there exists the possibility for us to sin in Heaven as Adam and Eve sinned in Eden.  But that doesn't quite fit with the idea that there will be no more disappointments in Heaven.  So it would suggest that in Heaven we will not have the option to sin.  What does that mean for our freewill?  Will we have freedom, will we not?

I guess I have always struggled with this question of what living in Heaven will be like if we can't choose to sin, if we are somehow limited in our freedom.  Its not really a point that I have seen talked about in detail and it certainly is not something that the Bible goes into detail about.  As a result I am left to make a few assumptions.  My assumptions must be based on something and I can think of no greater thing to make an assumption on then the character of God.

From all I know of God and all I have experienced with God, God is good and wants good things for us.  Therefore I can assume that although I don't really have a firm grip on how freedom and perfection in Heaven will work, I can trust God that it will be a good situation.

But the question that came to me 2 weeks ago, and one that I haven't answered yet, is if there is a way for us to exist and be happy and free (which is what we all assume Heaven will be like) then why didn't God create this from the beginning?

I just don't know.