A Sample

One night, in the middle of the night, I woke up and began to think about and worry about death. As usual I began to pray, “Jesus, I want to live!” I shouted in my head. Which is always followed by “Thy will be done. Jesus, thank you for loving me and taking care of me.” Next, I usually begin negotiations. “Jesus, let me live and I will be a better father, husband, brother, uncle and overall human being. Show me what to do and I will do it. AND If I die please be with me and don't leave me.” Sometimes after a prayer, I hear a silent reply. I do not know if I am making up the words as I want to hear them or if something else is going on. This night was different. Instead of words in my head I felt overwhelming love, joy and peace in my heart. All of a sudden I was at peace, everything I had ever worried about in my life, including death, seemed trivial. The feeling was brief, like a wave of cool air on a hot day dove hunting as a kid. I felt relieved and muttered out loud “FINALLY”. It was as if I was given a sample. I wondered have other people felt this feeling? I concluded they must have for I am not special in any way. I am definitely not anywhere close to the best of us. Surely everyone can share in this if they try. Later, I related the experience to a very close friend of mine, running the risk he would think I was a little on the edge. To my surprise, I learned my friend had a similar experience over 20 years ago. He never forgot the experience and had never told anyone before he told me.