Lost and Finding Joy

Have you ever heard someone say they died and had an experience and then came back? They are called NDE’s or Near-Death Experiencers. A lot of them say that while they are on the other side, they experience something called a “life review.” During this review of their lives, they get to see some of their interactions with others. They can see and feel the impact they had on someone else. Some of them say they actually feel how the other person was feeling during that scene of their lives. This is a fictional life-review for reflection:

NDE: God. Where Am I?

GOD: You’re safe. You’re here with me.

NDE: I know this place. I’m home. I feel so much love. I am so grateful to be here.

GOD: Look.

NDE: I can see myself. I remember this scene. There I am. I see my family. There’s my mom and dad. Oh wow. I’m so young there. I see the baby bird. It’s hurt. I’m trying to save it. It’s scared. It’s missing it’s mother. I held it gently. It feels my love. It died and became free again. I cried and prayed for it. I wanted so badly to help it.

GOD: Look.

NDE: I don’t like this scene. Teenage years are so confusing and hard. There’s a girl tattling on me. I shouldn’t have been on that bus. I told her to stop telling on me. She told the bus driver again, “She’s not supposed to be on this bus!” I warned her again. If you say it one more time. . .she did. I started hitting her. She was defenseless. I wouldn’t stop hitting her. She felt so hurt. I’m so sorry.

GOD: There is no judgement here. Look.

NDE: These scenes are amazing. The birth of my all of my children – one-by-one. These were scary and exciting times all at once. Thank you for these miraculous moments in my life. I feel so much love for each of them.

GOD: Look.

NDE: I couldn’t help my son. I tried so hard. He isn’t responding to anything I say or do. I feel helpless. He’s so angry and hurt. I couldn’t fix it. All I did was hurt him more. God, please. I’m sorry.

GOD: It wasn’t yours to fix. It’s mine. . . Look.

NDE: I forgot about this scene. I’m helping this family on the side of the road. I didn’t have much money, but I somehow felt like I needed to help them. I gave them my Christmas bonus. I see they all got home safely. I’m so grateful.

GOD: Look.

NDE: I was frustrated here. This person really needed me. He felt helpless and alone. I didn’t know how to help him anymore. He stole something. I couldn’t trust him. I fired him. I told him he would be okay. He said, “No, I won’t.” Then he died. God, I’m sorry. Was I supposed to keep helping him?

GOD: It wasn’t yours to fix. It’s mine. There is no judgment here. Nobody can do it alone. Nobody can escape the spiritual warfare that’s happening there. There’s too much darkness. That’s why I sent my son. See the Light around you. . . Look.

NDE: Wow. Every time I prayed the darkness fled. Every time I helped someone, I had angels helping me. I’m so grateful for the things I’ve experienced and learned.

GOD: You have more to learn. You have more people to help. You have more to give. It is not your time yet.

NDE: I don’t want to leave this place. There is so much warmth and unconditional love. I want to stay.

GOD: Look.

NDE: They need me, don’t they? I know I won’t be perfect. I know you don’t expect me to be. You just want me to do what I can. You will fill the void. You will pick me up when I’m down. You will carry me when I need to be carried. You will give me strength, faith, hope and courage. Okay, God. I’m ready to go back. I will help as many people as I can while I’m there. I know you are with me. I will pray often. I will see you again soon. Thank you. I love you.