I woke with a start. Something was out of the norm. I
remembered going to sleep in the hospital. I had been looking forward to going
home to see my wonderful wife of 47 years the next day at home. Something
however was different this time. I was in a place I had not been before. I
should have been worried but I was not in the slightest. I felt strangely at
ease. I felt loved more than I ever had before. It surrounded me from all
sides. I stood and looked around. I was covered by a thick mist yet through the
mist was a bright light. Next to my feet were blue and white balloons. It was
as if someone had been celebrating. The light was the brightest I had ever
seen. Like a moth to a light I started to inch forward. Slowly at first
wondering if my legs could handle it. It was then that I realized there was no
pain. I stopped. I lifted one leg...no problem....I lifted the other...it also
worked. Better than it had in years. I jumped. What an experience. I began to
run delighted by the new found freedom my legs now had. The wind blew in my
face, the bright light got closer. I could hear a sound. It was getting louder.
I began to recognize it as people. It must have been a massive crowd to make
that noise. I started to see the people all around me. They were clapping and
cheering for me. They were shouting my name, whistling and clapping me to carry
on. I saw a face I recognized. It was my mom and there was my dad. I had missed
them so much. I could see some of my primary school teachers, my friends and
family who had gone before me. Tears of joy streamed down my face. I wanted to
stop running and talk to them. To see what they had been doing. To find out
more about this place, but something kept pushed me on. The crowd grew larger.
The people were now joined by angels, thousands of them. It was absolutely amazing.
I had never seen angels like this. Some were huge and built like body builders
with swords strapped to their sides. The light got brighter, my joy and
excitement grew stronger as I continued to run. I could hear the faint sound of
bagpipes. I recognized the tune of ‘Amazing Grace’, it was one of my favorites.
I saw someone in the light running towards me. As he got closer I knew it was
him. It was my God and King. I stopped to kneel but before I could kneel he
gave me a bear hug and whispered in my ear. Well done Neville, my good and
faithful servant. You have finished the race. I took a deep breath and realized
I could smell someone braaing and I knew that I was now truly home.
Dedicated to Neville Heron Laing.30th May 1940 - 23rd January 2012
Philippians 1:21 For me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.
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