Today is Thursday, July 31st, 2008; Karen's Korner #1369

For the last few years, Jim and I have belonged to the EVERGREEN CLUB. We call it a poor man's bed and breakfast for senior citizens. We subscribe to a listing, giving us names and addresses of places where we can stay as we travel. We offer the same service to other Evergreen Club readers.
 
Last night, we had the privilege of hosting Carol from Arkansas who is on her way to visit friends in Minnesota. Like always we share stories from our lives.She with us; us with her.
 
Today is the day that her son, Joe, was killed in an auto accident at the age of 19. To add to Carol's life story, her other son, Matthew, lost his life at the age of three to a rare childhood illness. Life has a way of twisting and turning if we live long enough.
 
In the short time we have known Carol, we are finding that she not only survives; she thrives.
 
Because it is the anniversary date of her son's death, she decided to share with us a confirmation assignment of his from 1983, when he was 13 years old:
 
ETERNITY
 
On a dreary day in October, the sky opened up to the heavens. I sat and wondered why I was going to leave this earth of old dusty undergrowth. This covered everything on or near me. I was perhaps dead, unknown yet. All my life I was afraid of this time. Not even today would make an exception. My questions: Why me? How come today? Would I ever know? Why?
 
All this I could not answer. Even the true fact of how my death came I will never know.
 
The light that broke the black of smog shocked me so. I cannot begin to explain. Many a time life flashed before me, but in different ways. One time on eagle's set of wings. Another life just stopped. But now I could not handle it. It shown at me so as to say I was done, through, finished for the last "true" time.
 
I felt a whisp of air above me. All that possesed me was blown away. Forever. A new being was created. One that now will be taught the ways of life. Can it be LIFE taught man to be of mercy to the Almighty? Can it be said we are of a lesser quality also can we be even thought of being an imperfect soul? He will judge. Today for me.
 
As I am lifted by His caressing hand only to be hung in the luminous haze. As I ascend into the heavens, a voice speaks, "Will you serve the Almighty forever? Can you be trusted?" Then as I go to answer, a heart of loves pours red. Many a thought of hatred passed through. I cannot hold to His gripping hand over the majesty of below's powerful gust. My only hope is to confess all I have done wrong, to be granted my choice of places to go.
 
Overwhelmed, I have been appointed to the Eternal Home. I enter in a great procession of joy down a golden road lined by rejoicing souls. I look to my left, there sits a great gold cross enhanced with diamonds and other ravishing jewels. To my right, The Almighty and His everloving Son. Now, I understand the procession. I am now officially in his Majesty's temple house FOREVER.
 
~ Joe Beavers

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