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Topic: White (10/29/09)
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TITLE: A Glimpse of Heaven | Previous Challenge Entry
By Patricia Protzman
11/05/09 -
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Susan Mitchell sped along the country lane in her car taking in the beautiful mountain scenery all around her. The leaves on the trees proudly displayed colors of golds, yellows, reds, and purples. She watched in admiration as golden sunrays streamed through the glistening handiworks of art, appearing celestial, as though God’s fingers were caressing them.
Susan savored the early morning drives from her apartment to work. She used the thirty minutes to plan her wedding. Jeff Moore, her fiancé, taught sixth grade at the same school where she taught. They planned to get married next August at The Church of our Savior, where both attended services with their families. Lately, Susan’s church attendance had declined; she preferred to sleep in on Sundays. She felt God understood how busy her life had become and would not hold it against her if she missed church occasionally.
Out of nowhere, a deer ran in front of Susan’s car. She swerved, stomping on the brakes; the car spun around on the wet road, flipped over, and tumbled down an embankment. The car following behind her stopped, a man ran to the edge of the embankment and called 911.
Susan looked up and saw a bright light coming toward her. She heard beautiful, soft music and singing, but could not see where they came from. The light stopped in front of her and a man with long dark brown hair appeared in a luminous white robe. A brilliant light emanated from him and his face shone with love. His hands reached out touching her hand. “Jesus.” Susan whispered.
Instantly they were standing outside of a beautiful city of transparent gold with walls made of amethysts, emeralds, and other precious jewels, twelve single pearls served as gates. The same radiant light emanating from Jesus enveloped the city. A little boy opened a gate and ran up to them smiling. It was Tommy, Susan’s seven-year-old brother, who had died from cancer a few years back. She started to speak to him but found herself and Jesus back to where she first saw Him.
Jesus said, “It is not your time, you need to return. Do not forget your purpose in life, to live for Me.”
Susan heard someone calling her name. Opening her eyes, she saw her mother, father, Jeff, and a nurse leaning over her.
“Where am I? My head feels like it’s going to burst.”
“You were in a car accident, you have a concussion,” Explained her mother.
The nurse checked the dressing on her forehead, recorded vital signs, and told Susan she would return shortly with something for the pain. Mrs. Mitchell went on to tell her about the car accident, explaining that a man driving behind her car had telephoned 911.
The nurse returned giving Susan an analgesic. “This should help the pain. Try to take a nap; I’ll be down the hall if you need me.”
Jeff turned to Susan and said, “Sweetie, we’re going downstairs to have lunch in the cafeteria. Try to rest, we’ll return a little later.” Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep.
Doctor Shore stopped by two hours later to check on Susan, telling her she could go home at any time, but to take it easy for a few weeks. She decided to accept her parent’s invitation to stay with them until she felt better.
Upon awakening from her nap earlier, Susan remembered the vision and Jesus’ words. She told her parents and Jeff all about it, including seeing Tommy.
“Do you think it was real?” She asked. “It sure seemed to be at the time.”
“Well, many people have reported visions like the one you described. God speaks to us in diverse ways.” Her father replied.
Jeff remarked, “Henry White, my Sunday school teacher, told our class about a dream or vision he had not long before he died. He described the beauty of heaven, seeing Jesus, and talking with family and friends that had died years before.”
On the drive home to her parent’s house, Susan pondered again over Jesus’ words. God spared her life; she must never forget to put Christ first and live for Him. She would begin by attending church as soon as she was able, perhaps teaching a Sunday school class, too. As the car turned down Elm Street, she looked to the right to see a beautiful sunset. This day was almost finished, but Susan’s real life was just beginning.
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