Indescribable Journey
I am a self-proclaimed podcast junkie. I listen when I drive, do housework, or am at the gym. Recently I listened to an episode from “I Survived” that was extremely intriguing. Just a heads up on this podcast series, the episodes are generally quite graphic and painful.
This particular episode showed up on my Home page of suggested “Up Next” podcasts. For a few days I avoided listening to it as I wasn’t really up to another story depicting someone’s horrific pain and how they survived. Even so, I finally clicked on it as I felt nudged to do so. I was pleasantly surprised.
We have all experienced loss – maybe friends, family members or pets have died either expectantly or unexpectantly. Either way, it’s hard. Often extremely hard. For me, maybe because I am growing older, the passing of friends and family has really been sticking with me, many of whom I think of daily.
I have a strong trust in God in that because of His plan of Heaven we say not just “good-bye” but we can then add “see you later” at the end of life. Yet there is a lingering thought in wondering just what was their journey? What will my journey be like?
The three people highlighted on the podcast I had put off listening to, were people whose story was less about the event they survived but more about what they experienced when they literally died for a handful of minutes. Their vivid sights, feelings and insights were more than fantastic.
- One outlined being on a long suspended ladder surrounded by cats and dogs. The dogs beckoned her to go through to the strong light through the door down the ladder while the cats snuggled next to her bringing
- One explained the feeling freedom of being part of the infinite universe. He also outlined the sensation of unconditional love he felt and a light brighter than the sun upon which he could look directly.
- The third observed a conversation between family members that she heard while lying in a hospital bed away from the cafeteria in which the conversation took place. She also talked about seeing her grandchildren and feeling their love even though she was very young and yet to have children, not alone grandchildren.
What was woven between all these experiences was the immense peace and joy they felt along with love and acceptance. They all spoke of being in the perfect place with a light greater than any light known on earth. This was a place from which they didn’t ever want to leave. These stories fascinate me and have given me new meaning to these beautiful verses:
“And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42–43
Paradise is waiting which is beyond my understanding or comprehension.
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; Isaiah 65:17-18a
Forever rejoicing in what’s impossible for me to imagine leaves me in awe of our God and creator of the universe.
Indeed, whatever the journey was for my friends and family, it had to have been fantastic. Whatever is in store for me, will undoubtedly be incredible. I take comfort in these peaceful almost exhilarating thoughts.
JW