Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Expire (08/01/13)
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TITLE: What A Glorious Sight | Previous Challenge Entry
By C D Swanson
08/03/13 -
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"Oh, let's see. Well, I'm ready to take off for parts unknown. I was thinking Paris for some French cuisine."
Teresa kidded right back, "Well, your plane doesn't take off for 'bout an hour. I'm thinking, I have some time to read from God's book."
"You know, one of these days I'm gonna expire, and you'll miss me."
Mrs. Harmon told everyone the "I'm gonna expire" line, in her confident, and sassy way.
"Well, Mrs. Harmon...what book shall I read from today?"
"The book of John. You know about the word, and then about Jesus being our Vine."
"Yes, I love the entire Gospel of John, but then again...I love the entire Bible. Okay, Gospel of John. In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
"See, right there. Jesus is the word. Doesn't that mean He became flesh and walked among us?"
"Yes. The word was with God, and the word was God...and the word became flesh. Jesus Christ.”
"Do you think Jesus went to Paris?"
Teresa made a chiding sound, "Mrs. Harmon, I know Jesus has a sense of humor, so He understands your ways. And, I’m pretty sure he’s been to Paris."
“Okay, sorry. However I’d like to say, that although Jesus expired, he resurrected. I know when I'm called home, you know when I..."
"I know, I know...when you expire." She chuckled; Mrs. Harmon was truly a card.
She giggled like a little girl before continuing. "Yes, I’ll be with God, and I'll be able to see things far better than Paris. It’ll be everything that I've wanted to see, but couldn't. I often dream about what colors look like. What you look like. Or, even this room. You understand honey?"
"Well, I understand what you're saying. However, no one, but a sightless person, can understand how you’re feeling."
Mrs. Harmon rubbed her knees as she rocked. "You know what I think about a lot? How glorious it'll be to see God's face. That's the first thing I know I'll see when I die. I'm not worrying about the beauty of paradise, or the colors up there, although I know it's supposed to be extraordinary. No. None of that will even come close to seeing God's face. My Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, when He takes me home. Now, that’s why I'm not afraid of dying. I know the first thing I will actually see is Him, and His face. Amen."
Teresa's eyes blurred with tears. "That's simply beautiful, Mrs. Harmon."
"He's amazing. It's because of Him, that I’m able to get through each day at this land-of-the-dead. It’s because His living water allows me to drink. My Vine, Jesus, sustains my needs. I hope my branches have copious fruits… bringing His perfection within me. Without Him, I'd wither, and dry up, and become chaff in the wind. I need Him Teresa, we all need Him. My eyes have been opened, I've seen the truth, and have heard His voice. I look forward to seeing His face. So, the day I expire, I become whole. I will live in perfection in His presence."
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Teresa returned the following week. Entering Mrs. Harmon's room, the bed was empty. She asked Katie, the head nurse, "Where's Mrs. Harmon?"
"Oh, that's right. You don't know. I'm sorry Teresa; she expired after you left last week. She talked about your Bible reading all that night. She seemed to have a different and stronger vision of Christ. She was animated and chatty. I swear, at the end...it looked like she was smiling, and staring at someone. Almost as if she could...see."
Teresa slowly broke out into a tiny smile, “Yes, I have no doubt that she did.”
As Teresa made her way around the facility she thought about Mrs. Harmon's words. It was a witness to her heart. She may have been sightless, but she saw more than any person gifted with sight. There were so many blind people in the world. She had it right, Mrs. Harmon was spot on. Teresa paused, as she thought of her words, "You know, one of these days I'm gonna expire, and you'll miss me." She was right, she'll miss her. But, how glorious knowing she was seeing Jesus' face this very moment, and basking in His Glory.
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Wing His Words