Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Family Reunion (06/05/08)
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TITLE: Ready-made Family | Previous Challenge Entry
By Helen Murray
06/06/08 -
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Silence in the night.
A light shines in the darkness and my hand reaches out to it. It draws me into itself and we go flying, flying, flying. Time and dimension disappear behind me and light grows ever brighter about me until I stand before a huge and heavy gate, incandescent with the pale colours of pearl, terrifying behind its parade of mighty angel guardians. Haughty and imperious stands the angel with the book, yet kindness is breathed with his voice as he recognizes me and looks for my name in that majestic volume.
“Light, sweet one. Your name means ‘Light’. Have you tapped in to the Light of the World, to shine His glory on the face of the earth? Let me see if your name is written here.”
“I come in the Name of Jesus, under the covering of His blood.”
“Oh, so many come here and say that. It doesn’t mean your name is written down here though. The question is ‘Are you the bride? Did you betroth yourself to the Prince of Peace? Did you die to the issues of earth and your own longings and desire Him constantly above all else? Or perhaps, like so very many others, you thought that you could have a bit of both worlds – the two-way bet. Oh no! Here is your name! You have indeed been faithful and true, and are to enter into His gates with your praise and thanksgivings to be received with honour at the throne-room.”
He rises from His desk where the weighty tome lies, and, in a vast, resounding voice, commands the magnificently fiery troops, whereupon they ceased their marching and create an avenue of honour, saluting with their gigantic, gleaming swords. Their faces beam as the angel of the book conducts me between their lines and the great gates open. Unutterable joy descends on me as I pass through those gates, leaving outside every care and worry that had ever attached itself on me.
Inside a welcoming party of three come, beaming, at me, through the glorious meadow where no flower is crushed and no leaf bruised. I had not known them on the earth, but I had always lived in hopes of meeting them here in this holy place.
Firstly there was Robert. I had seen his profile in a dream, when the angels told me that, since I had not named him, they had called him Robert. He was so tall, erect, and handsome. In fact he looked exactly like my father, and had his quietly powerful character. “Hello mother.” We gazed at each other, and then touching hands at first, finally entered a long awaited and sweet embrace. This was my first child, the son who had slipped away, enabling me to become aware of my lost pregnancy, barely six weeks after conception.
Finally he said, “ Mother, I have two other family members for you to meet.” I looked at a young woman with my daughter’s exquisite face, and a muscular and vibrantly handsome young man. They are your grandchildren, mother.” There are no tears in Heaven, so all I feel is unmitigated delight at meeting the two children who had suffered abortion when their father would not support them.
“What names have they been given?” I whispered.
“I am Genevieve.” The enchanting young woman hugs me gleefully, “and I have always known how much you loved me. Jesus likes us to know these things about earth people. So I have waited a long time to hug you, but now we have forever to love one another.” Indeed we have. I am nearly swooning with the joy of it, and we lose ourselves in uncontrollable laughter.
Caught and tenderly caressed by the waiting young man eagerly entering into the jocular spirit of our meeting, I can feel his laughter as he holds me against his chest lest I fall again. After a long time I subside enough to ask my question.
“What is your name, grandson?”
“Benjamin. That was a choice of yours that wasn’t used. I am Benjamin.”
“Oh, I love your names. Robert, Genevieve, Benjamin. Robert, Genevieve, Benjamin”. Joyfully I rehearse their names. On earth a lonely stranger, rejected by the unbelievers in my family, in Heaven I discover my ready-made family – joy beyond measure.
Only one thing is lacking.
“Take me to where I can give thanks to the great King for His loving kindness and great mercy to me.”
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