"Gift of a Second Chance"

       I have imagined many strange things in my lifetime. I think most people have shuddered at awful thoughts of being in a tragic accident, or somehow finding yourself in a hospital bed just waking up out of a coma. Not knowing what had transpired to leave you in such a quandary. Not knowing how long you had been away. Imagine the thoughts that would race through your mind, trying to piece together obscure pictures that may or may not have played a role in the reason for your situation. Not being able to determine events that took place a week ago-from a year ago-having no knowledge or the severity of your circumstance. Wondering what kind of accident took place-wondering if anyone had been killed because of your own actions.

      Imagine if you will, walking outside to get into your car, in broad daylight. You open the door, start the engine and drive off. In the time it takes to blink your eyes-you are returning home, sometime in the middle of the night. You pull into your driveway-not realizing yet that you had just by-passed the last three hour of your life! You park and get out of your car and walk into your home. At this point you look at your family; who now has surrounded you with looks of complete horror! ...Welcome to my transformation!

           I now understood that my life was over. I thought I was dead, or in the process of dying. There wasn’t really any reason to speak. It was understood, just by their presence. I then realized what it all meant. All the memories of my life were quickly fading. I tried to hold them in, but it was too emotionally agonizing. I tried to hold onto the vision of my children. It was though a force was quickly deleting my memory of my lifetime. I could feel my spirit wanting to be set free from my body.

           At that very moment my friendly spirit spoke! The words that came out of his mouth did not match his lips. I understood his message; it was in the english language to my ears. His message had power. He spoke with major authority, but at the same time, his meaning was gentle. His sound delighted my senses. His voice was of perfect harmony.

           “We have come to take you home,” he said softly. I was so taken back, that it took a few seconds to digest what I had heard. I then began to resist. The news struck me as extremely unfair. I wasn’t ready to go. (Imagine that- I, the one that had tried to end my own life on several occasions, was now not ready to go!) I then grabbed the steering wheel for the first time since my journey had begun. I squeezed it so tightly it felt like putty in my hands! I held my forehead against the upper portion of the wheel in torment. I could hear myself pleading with my spiritual friends. “No, it’s not fair- I’m not ready to go yet! I’m not finished doing God’s work!” I cried out. My words instantly seemed to awaken my worldly body. I began to gain strength! I felt the power of a hundred men! It was though I spoke some magical words. I went on pleading my case shouting, “I want to show God that he can use me!”

             I was instantaneously caught up in the spirit. I was completely and fully empowered by the Spirit of God! I could not contain the eruption that had begun inside of me. I started to sing aloud. I sang a song of praise to the Almighty! I heard in my ears that it was not my voice. It was that of a lion’s massive roar! The volume of my voice made the earth rumble. I sang out in victory about the Lord God! The words flowed through my lips as my spirit produced a great song! The words were beautiful as they penetrated the sky above in praise! It was though music from a full orchestra had emerged with the song that I sang! I could feel the heavens open as it welcomed and embraced the message from the world!