What more do you want?

By  Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

Within my time here on Earth, events have happened that defy explanation, even gravity! Therefore, as a human dwelling on tera firma, this sees me seeking to know more about God.

Given that fact, the experience shared below is one of several “encounters” that keep me on a quest for knowing what is most important in life.

A couple of decades ago I was awakened by a pressure on my chest and then a “pull, pull, pulling” sensation. Suddenly, I was out of my body and rising toward the ceiling. I said to myself, “I am dying and I feel no pain and no fear.”

This all happened so fast; I didn’t have time to ponder further for a presence was felt from above me at the ceiling. I did not see anyone; yet I knew this “presence” was “an authority.” I was asked a question: “Is there any reason why you can’t go now?”   

I knew through and through this was the most important question –ever! Another thing I knew was that I was about to leave Earth—any second now. An answer came instantly.

“Yes!” I said. I thought of something I could do that would make it easier for Gary and our sons once I leave. And, as soon as I said, “Yes,” I went right back into my body.

Obviously my “Yes” was understood and allowed. Being sent back into my body went easy and smoothly. Felt natural.  

Once “back” my amazement saw me jumping off the bed. As my feet hit the floor my astonishment was huge!

Looking back on it I know that every second of that happenstance was laden with meaning. Yet, the greatest part of all was knowing that God cared enough to allow such an encounter.

I also knew more surely than ever: there is a God! In fact, a God with amazing power, one who cares a great deal about the lives of humans.

Getting out of this body is easy–when God lifts you out! Obviously, something physical had to be released within my body before my spirit could depart. Perhaps this is the “silver cord” of Ecclesiastes 12:6-7. “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed . . . and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”

In this experience, it was as if God had asked, “Have you done all you want to do with your Life?”

Following this powerful event my foremost desire has been to be “ready to go!” I want to enter eternity satisfied with what I have done with my life. I might look like a workaholic . . . but not so. I am simply seriously trying to make a difference in the world.

My website at Healing-with-Joy.com is one of the tracks taken since my determined quest to do something worth of “the God who Created me.” Being there for others—particularly those who are suffering—has become what life is all about for me. I have joy in the work and look forward to going to a place much bigger—and far, far greater. Once there, all the “hard stuff of Earth” will make sense.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Visit her website at Healing-with-Joy.com to view her children’s book, a YouTube video titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places. On that site you will find many articles addressing life’s difficulties.

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

About two decades ago, I met James[1]. He was one of my first patients in hospice. After talking a few moments, he said, “I haven’t been in church for many years. But, I was a Sunday school kid. Every Sunday, until I was a teenager, I was happy to go to church. Then there just wasn’t a lot of thoughts going on about God.”

Mostly our conversations were around his picturesque recounts of fishing as those trips were obviously the highlight of his life. I did enjoy hearing the stories but mostly savored how, at the very ending days of his life—with an IV in his arm—he was finding solace in those memories. Not at any point within my two home-hospice visits did James talk about his illness or dying.

This was a bit concerning. I had been trained to believe doctors always prepared a patient for entering hospice, telling them medical treatment would stop as it no longer held any promise for saving one’s life. Hospice teams are experts at treating pain and fostering the highest level of comfort possible. Still, while with James, what seemed the right thing to do, was to just be there for him, letting him know I was enjoying what he was sharing. I could hear the “rivers roar,” in places . . . yet, also envision his fly fishing in the calmer, peaceful waters. He was that good with these stories.

Before my next scheduled visit to James’ house, I got a call from his hospice nurse. She said, “James was hospitalized. We don’t expect him to live beyond 48 to 72 hours.”

Arriving at his hospital room, I figured James would want to talk about this part of his journey. But, no. After rousing a bit to speak, he said, “Let me tell you about the next fishing trip I’m going to make!”

Again, I found listening was the only thing to do. Upon leaving, I did have some difficult feelings, telling myself, “The doctor has failed to tell this man the truth—he is dying!”

Early the next day I got a call from his ‘wife, Sally. She said James had passed, then told me of their last moments, “I was sitting by his bedside while holding his hand. We were telling one another how much we love each other. Then James pulled his hand out of mine. I reached for it. But, James pulled it back. Suddenly he lifted both of his hands toward the ceiling and with a wide, wide smile, said with verve, ‘I’m going home!’”

While officiating at his memorial service I shared this exceedingly touching story with those who were present. What evidence lay before us that James had an exceptional moment of being “beaconed in,” and that he immediately realized what “being home” can truly mean.

Children who go to Sunday School usually learn what it takes to have their names written in God’s Book of Life. It might have been Daniel 12:1 that James’ teacher had shared in class, “Everyone who is found written in the book—will be rescued.”

James’ story makes me think of the Scripture in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

For James, the seeds of truth about eternal life were planted in his soul at an early age, in Sunday School and perhaps by his parents. God gave him a long and enjoyable life—then, “beamed” him up.

A child may forget a prayer uttered long ago, but it is certain that God does not forget.  James’ “remembering” may have begun, long before I arrived at his door, to sit a spell, and offer “a prayer.” He no doubt felt care and concern. Maybe the most precious gift we can give to one another is listening to each other’s stories, truly hearing what is said.

Humans have an inner voice (or feeling) that prompts us—guides us toward right behavior and away from bad behavior. Abundant trouble comes when a person ”sears” her or his conscience, by completely ignoring it, living only to promote one’s self. This hardens the conscience and results in our lying to ourselves, saying, “It’s OK to do it my way.”

James’ story is one of many indicating that people do at times, gain upfront evidence of what is ahead for believers after their time on earth, then to remain yet a while, knowing “heaven is for real.”

[1] Names are changed to protect identify.

***

Please consider extending my Home page, healing-with-Joy.com, to family members and friends who are struggling with grief, life adjustment, or on a search for spiritual care. The website is filled with “Helps.”  Free for copying and sharing. healing-with-Joy.com

“My near death experience” came be read (on left side of on my homepage).