The Bridge to Eternity

I have been blessed to see a glimpse of the courtyard of eternity. I share this story with those of you who may have a loved one that is "wondering" around in the courtyard of eternity but, has not yet found the bridge that leads to the everlasting after life with Jesus Christ. Maybe with this information you too can help your loved one to the bridge that leads to eternity.

In July 2003, my blessed mother was dying with colon cancer in a place called - Hospice Center. I knew nothing about "Hospice" and what they did for terminally ill but, when I arrived at my mother's bedside I soon found out what type of place hospice really was.

I was at my Mother's side and I prayed for her soul because I wasn't sure what to pray for since she was in between here and the next life and I was so numb to the fact of loosing her forever all I could do was hope and pray.

Right before this took place, the Lord had spoke to me when I took it upon myself to read the bible from front to back and to get to know Jesus Christ his son.  Then one day as I was reading I heard the voice of the Jesus say to me that I was about to walk though hell. But, not to fear, for he would be with me the entire time holding my hand and by my side all the way thought it and when it was over, I'd see it all from God's view and then I would understand.

I didn't really know what was going to happen but, soon afterwards I got a call that my mother was ill and immediately I went home to see her. When I arrived, she had not been eating and I just thought that my Dad probably pissed her off or made her angry and she was upset and not eating. So I tried everything I could do to encourage her to eat. I even cooked, and tried to tempt her with some of her favorites and although she ate, she vomited all of it up. After a long weekend of being home with my parents, I went back home to continue on with my life and the problems that laid ahead for me, I thought Mom would feel better - maybe she and Dad made up and plus getting to see us, her grand babies and my husband it always put her in a good mood because she loved us just that much and we all made her proud.

No sooner than I got home that evening from a 500 mile one way trip there. I got a call that I needed to come back as she was now in the hospital and it was serious. In the middle of packing (since we were moving) I had the children go with a family friend ahead of me so my husband and I could finish packing and get our stuff in storage. So after we finished we planned to drive but, an old high school friend of mine -who I had not heard from in over 20 years or so called me out of the blue and I told her what was going on and she worked for an airline- called in a bereavement flight and made all the arrangements to have us fly out - and at her expense. God's work here no doubt - Amen.

With relief, joy and gladness I thanked her and told her how much I truly appreciated it. She then told me "Not to let nothing get in the way of seeing my Mom." I thought that was odd for her to say, but under the circumstances, I agreed with her as we grew up in the same neighborhood and knew how it could be when arriving there.

Once I did land, there were obstacles waiting on me to keep me from Mom's side but, I heard my friend's voice and did as she instructed and rushed to my mother's side despite all the negativity surrounding the second visit. When I did get to the Hospice center I thought she'd be awake and talking but, just ill. As she was just a few days ago but, instead I found her in the hospice full of morphine. It took a lot of courage to walk in that room - it was truly one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. Trying to be strong and not break down but, with Jesus help, I made it through and stayed by her side.

When I looked around, I saw her son, x-husband and all were looking very worried. We introduced ourselves - as I didn't know either of them - and althought we didn't know each other well, we loved Mom all of us so we tried to comfort one another. We prayed for Mom and did all the hoping we could do.  The nurses and doctors told me that mother was terminally ill and that hospice was a place where you went if there was nothing else anyone could do for you. Like my heart was already wearing down with the weights of all the stress between me and my Dad and my own personal issues, this just put another 10 tons of weight on it when I heard that. 

A few days went by and nothing changed. The nurses there were wonderful - one nurse saw I was reading the bible to Mom and she picked up where I left off in the reading to her.  I know that it comforted Mom as it did for me just knowing that a stranger - an angel - was at her side the entire time. Mom stayed in her condition and some of the nurses said it was uncommon for a person who was in that much pain and that close to death that she'd stay and not pass on- it was as though she was waiting for someone else to arrive. They kept asking us was there anyone else she may have wanted to see.  Since my Dad was not there - trying to stay busy - so he would not break down - that was all of who we could think of that she may want to see before she left. 

Full of morphine for the pain and asleep I knew that she could hear me and just could not speak, I prayed for her, read the bible to her. I guess my heart was so full of hope that the Lord had to once again speak to me. So that evening I went to my brothers house (my mom's son) and went to bed that night the lord showed me the courtyard to eternity.

I saw a beautiful mountain side full of great, green trees, mature and strong, the day was warm and sunny. Temperature was perfect. Warm with a slight breeze in the fresh air. I was able to see this beautiful place but, one area I could not see but, knew with all my heart what was over there and who was there waiting. I saw with my heart a bridge - not like a regular bridge fit for cars but, a bridge a little bit wider than a walking bridge. There on that side was Jesus in the middle and all of Mom's friends and relatives surrounding him with open arms and a beautiful smile he awaited for my Mom.

I awoke that morning to go by Mom's side and when I got there, I told my brother what I had dreamt about. When everyone took a break, I went over to Mom and told her what I saw and I told her if she was lost and did not know where to go that she could go there over to that bridge and there she would find Jesus with his arms opened wide to receive her and Grandma and everyone she ever knew was surrounding him there on that bridge to greet her. But, if she was not lost and did not want to go, she could stay here with me and I'd be here for her. No sooner than I said that I took a break and went outside to sit on the swings. A few moments later, she passed away.

I thought I was going to be devastated as my Mother was my everything. But, Jesus kept his promise with me he held my hand and my heart and kept me up and kept my heart from breaking. Jesus kept his promise to me and some.  That day - those days - opened up my eyes to the truth of everything.  I did see what God's view looked like and I understood why things happened the way that they did.

So, please if there is someone in your life that you think is in between here and there. Tell them about the place I saw - it may help them to move on in the right direction.  You will find peace and be comforted during this time as long as you know that Jesus is by your side and the things that you may not understand - will soon reveal themselves unto you for Jesus keeps his word - all the time. 

I knew my Mom would come back to me as before she died we had a long talk and I told her that when I arrived there I'd comb her hair, polish her nails and rub lotion on her feet so surely she would feel better when I got there.  I didn't get to do those things as she was in so much pain it hurt her when I touched her hand.  But, I kept saying I know one day she will come back to me and that day did come years later.  Read the rest of my story on my next hub. God is AMAZING.  Amen.