Introduction
This
story was written at the suggestion of a friend after
we had talked about heaven. As I wrote that Friday night,
I knew I wanted to include a friend, but I wasn't sure
who or how. Sabbath morning upon arriving at church, I
found that one of my good friends had been killed in a
car accident while I was writing the story. His name is
Dave Eager, and he was an inspiration to our youth group.
Soon we will see him again, and heaven will be a zillion
times better than we could ever imagine!
My Walk With God
The
darkening blue of the sky filters through the leaves of
the giant oak tree sprawling above me. From its dark green
depths I hear a nightingale sing out its joyous praise
of the Creator. A meadow lark warbles from a mulberry
bush that is hugging a pile of boulders in the corner
of my yard. The branches of the bush, laden with dark
purplish red fruit, reach out to tickle my feet as I lie
beneath it. My eyes travel across the curtain of leaves
that separates my garden from my grassy yard.
I
had trained some vines to climb the graceful birches,
and they entangle their leafy tendrils between the tall
white trees. A breath of fragrance wafts from the tiny
violet star-flowers on the hanging vine. The sun shifts,
tossing rays of light through the star-studded vine. A
lively breeze, catches the vine and frolics with its twines,
causing shadows to dance on the golden wall of my mansion.
I
roll over to look at the sun and the view is exhilarating!
The sky is ablaze with splendid color: gold, red, orange,
violet, and vivid colors beyond our earthly imagination.
It is an exquisite background to the gently rugged, white
mountain that the Prince gave me. Brilliant rainbows frame
a dazzling ball of fire that attempts to burn up the horizon
and then loses the battle as it slowly disappears. The
colors fade, and my thoughts turn to Him. "How wonderfully
awesome He is! I love Him with all my heart!
My
beautiful little sea-green bird flutters down beside me,
and with a chirp of gladness alights on a small twig nearby
my brook. The water chuckles as it merrily rushes over
the rocks.
"Beryla,"
I say, "Why are you so happy? Know why I'm happy? 'Cause
Someone I love said He'd go for a walk with me this evening.
I'm so excited I can hardly wait!"
I
look up, seeing the deep blue sky with the bright stars
of Orion's sword twinkling near us. One brilliant orange
star, a little farther away, winks at me and shouts in
celebration! I chuckle at the name we had for it on earth
- Betelgeuse!
Suddenly
I feel a presence near me, and stretching my wings, I
leap up with a praise song! I marvel again that this glorious
Being loves me and wants to be my friend. With a smile
God says, "I love you, my child." My heart skips a beat
as I smile back at Him.
He
wants to show me His newest creation, so I call Jasper,
my German shepherd, and Shammai, my blue-eyed snow leopard.
Together we follow the path into the dense green forest
beyond my fruitful garden. As we pass the tall, deep green
ferns and luxuriously perfumed flowers, I notice how God's
glory causes the flowers to shimmer in varied hues. I
look up at Him in awe and love as He describes His new
creation. I love it when He tells me the intricate details
of the universe. I've always enjoyed science even on earth.
Nearby
a lion cub and a lamb are romping in a beautiful meadow;
Jasper and Shammai scamper off to join them. The moon
radiantly beams on the playful scene, and shadows frolic
on the golden grass rippling in the breeze. The towering
trees sway in time to the whispering rhythm of the wind.
We
saunter beneath an enormous maple tree. From its colorful
foliage - red, yellow, orange, and green - comes a lilting
melody. A couple of emerald parrots emerge to show their
gorgeous plumage, lifting their voices to God in adoration.
He gives me one of those smiles that lights a fire in
my soul. Then He tenderly takes my hand and bids me follow.
We
round a corner and I gasp in wonder. A meadow is before
us - an incredible meadow! Encircled by firs covered with
snow is a sea of silver grass bowing at God's feet. His
fantastic glory transforms the silver into zillions of
tiny rainbows. Impulsively, I too bow in devotion with
a melody of praise.
Then
I hear familiar voices joining mine. I turn around and
on the other side of the meadow is a pile of boulders
blanketed in a mass of royal purple and glittering gold
moss. Sitting there are my friend, Dave, and his guardian
angel, Shema. They wave a greeting with their wings and
resume their animated conversation.
"Tell
me again the story of redemption," I beg my Father. He
chuckles at my eagerness and then begins telling the wonderful
tale. I love the sound of His voice. It's so gentle yet
rich with harmony. I am caught up in the story, and time
flies by on wings of pleasure.
We
meander through a grove of eucalyptus trees and savor
the pungent aroma of their pale green leaves. The dusty
rose tree trunks file off to meet purple headed mountains
on the horizon. We climb a rolling hill carpeted in deep
green moss to find a breath-taking view at the top. Down
in the valley, sheltered by frosty trees and snow covered
pines, is a secluded little lake with mist arising like
incense. We mount up like eagles and fly down to the bank
of the lake. We sit there as God continues recounting
the story of our deliverance from evil. After a while
we resume the delightful journey, strolling through bowers
of fragrant flowers, ambling through enchanting woods,
and sauntering across grassy meadowlands.
As
He nears the end of the story of salvation, my heart again
bursts with awe and wonder that Jesus died for me; that
He and this glorious Being love me! I sing in exaltation
and this time the stars join me with a triumphant descant.
God is so awesome! and that is a mega-understatement!!
As
the song softens, I hear the deep rolling laughter of
the river of life. The closer we get to the river, the
more tropical plants we see! Shining through the palm
leaves the full moon smiles upon us. I pull off a few
palm branches and lay them in God's path. As His feet
touch them they take root and shoot up into more palm
trees. I laugh in delight, but He tells me to wait and
see His newest creation.
We
come to the crystal clear river of life, and He bids me
drink of the delicious water. Then He picks a grape-apple
from the tree of life and hands it to me. I remember we
ate them at the banquet when we came here - the table
reached for miles and we could see everyone! But eating
that fruit with God so close to me gives it a taste almost
as glorious as He is.
He
sits down on the glistening silver and gold grass and
calls "Ahian!" I flop down amazed as a sapphire fish with
jacinth wings gracefully glides to the shimmering surface
of the water. Its eyes burn like fire, and its pale pink
fins flutter causing diamond shaped ripples in the clear
water.
As
the gorgeous fish flies up, the dripping water crystallizes
into diamonds. Dropping a couple at my feet, it begins
to praise God. I listen enthralled, and to my utter astonishment
I find this beautiful fish can sing 24-part harmony!
We
sit there for a while enjoying the joyful strains of music.
Finally God tells me He must visit someone else. I thank
Him over and over and sing an anthem of praise and joy.
He tells me He'll be with me always, and that maybe next
millennium I will understand how He could leave and still
be with me. As He leaves I sense that His presence is
still with me, and I am comforted.
I
feel a wing tip on my shoulder and turning around I see
Jahdai, my guardian angel. He is riding his sapphire unicorn,
and my pure white one is close behind. "Come on," he says,
"let's go visit another galaxy!" I jump on my unicorn
and we ride off into the universe.