Thirty minutes later, Lena quietly came into the bedroom to tell me that her mother had just died. I was still awake, and was praying for her mother at the time. We hugged, and I soon fell asleep.
The next morning, the PSW (personal support worker) who watches over me through the night, told Lena that after she left, he noticed that I had fallen asleep with a big smile on my face. He was surprised that I could be so happy after just hearing that my mother-in-law had just died.
Lena asked me to tell her why I was smiling. I told her that just before she walked in to tell me the news, that I was praying / dreaming that I saw two angels carrying her mother up Jacob's ladder, and that mom said that she was not afraid of the height, being so far above the ground. At the top of the ladder, there was a golden road leading to the gates of heaven, and mom walked that road with great joy. It ended there, because Lena had just entered the room at that moment.
I don't believe in extra biblical revelation, but this prayer/dream was a comfort to me, and I thought that I would share it with you.
Jack
Praying for God's nearness in this trying time but it is a blessing that He is near.
ReplyDeleteArjan, Elles Sterk and Family
Oh, Jack, what a beautiful dream. Dream? No, what beautiful reality! She is in the glorious presence of the Lord she loved so sincerely. Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteJust going thru my normal fb routine of reading posts this morning, I encountered your blog via a link from Norma Leegstra. I had heard just earlier this year that you have ALS, and when I came to this post, I clicked on it. For the last hour or so, I've been reading some if not most of the post you've written here on your blog. I am very sorry to hear about all you're going thru. Just recently a female member of the church we go to died from ALS also. She was just in her early 40's, and left behind 4 children ranging from 5-14 (?). It was hard to see her being afflicted with this disease, and even harder to hear of her death. There is only one consolation in all of this: She is home free, no more sorrow or pain for her, and she's walking the golden streets. I am so glad to hear that you are clinging to that same hope and consolation.
ReplyDeleteI know that these times are hard ones for you with also having to deal with the death of your mother(-in-law)/grandmother, and I am sending you my condolences for that. May God give you the strength to deal with this all.
A former student from RCS
Maria Kievit (Droogendyk)
My condolences & thanks for sharing your dream. It gladdened my heart to read it. Ed Laman
ReplyDeleteYea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me...Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. The Lord knows that you will soon walk the same journey, and He sends this beautiful dream and vision to strengthen you and encourage you before you too must cross that river Jordan. Thank you for sharing this with us Jack. We offer our condolences to Lena and you and your family. Sorrowful yet rejoicing that your dear mother is with her Saviour, in heaven.
ReplyDeleteHello Jack,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family you have, I am so sorry that you have this terrible disease; like you I am struggling with ALS having been diagnosed on Oct 25, 2012. Please check out this new treatment for ALS, I have just begun this treatment and am very excited and hopeful for not only a slowing of the progression but in some cases symptoms have been reversed.
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2012/November/Deanna-Protocol-a-Breakthrough-for-Lou-Gehrigs/
The website is Winning the Fight and you can check it out here:
http://www.winningthefight.net/
May our Lord bless you as we fight this fight together.