Wednesday, March 08, 2006

An Eyelash of Time

I heard her story last night.

Her greatest concern, as a mother, was who would care for her children if she died. She has no doubt her husband had the same concern – who would care for their children if he died – but it is her story, and she can only speak for herself.

She had suffered a stroke. She was taken to the hospital, then to the ER. While on the operating table, she died.

She described that period between life, death, and return to life as "an eyelash of time."

She did not exactly see Jesus, but could sense his presence. She could feel Him through her whole body, through her whole being.

He did not speak, but she could hear him.

He said, "Wait. Do not be afraid."

In that moment, she was no longer worried about her children or her husband. She was content to remain in His presence.

He said, "Wait. Do not be afraid."

But she did not want to return to the world she had known. She did not want to return to her children or husband or house. She wanted to remain with Him, to know his pure love.

He said, "Wait. Do not be afraid."

She described that period between life, death, and return to life as "an eyelash of time."

Her experience of life has been brighter since then. In every step, she recognizes the echo of his voice: "Wait. Do not be afraid."

She told the story. I heard her tell the story.

It has been said that the most common phrase in the Bible is "Don't be afraid", that it appears 365 times. I don't know.

All I know is, I heard her story, and glimpsed an eyelash of time.
Post #1444

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