FanStory.com - Precious Visitby Shirley McLain

Tomorrow is Easter, the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I couldn't celebrate his rising from the dead, because his father took my beloved Edward. God wouldn't stop a senseless war due to man's greed and sin.

Why should I celebrate when his son returned to life?

My anger consumes me, and gets me through my days and long, empty nights.

I can't sleep in the bedroom, because the memories I shared in that room made me a slobbering, crying piece of flesh. I got the idea of drinking a bottle of Scotch. Maybe then I could sleep a couple of hours.

I couldn't get up from the couch. My mind screamed at God, now what!
Immediately, the room filled with brightness. I saw a man standing in the middle of this brightness. The light slowly faded around him. I couldn't make a sound. The man wore white linen with a gold sash around his middle. His feet were bare. His shoulder length brown hair glowed.

I smelled the sweetest scent, as I took a deep breath of the air. All my anger, tension, and grief faded. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Why do you blame our Father for your misery? Your Edward lives happily in our Father's arms. Do you remember the Lazarus and Martha's story?"

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that God will give you whatever you ask even now." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:21–26 NIV

"Martha blamed me for her brother's death, but I only bring life in the name of my Father. I proved to her I could bring life forth when I called Lazarus back to the living."

"Why did the Father leave me here alone?"

"First, you are never alone. Our Father sent his angels to watch over you. How do you think I know about your suffering?

"Please forgive me for my wicked and hate-filled heart." Jesus gathered me into his arms. I felt so loved.

"You had grief in your heart. Before you heard of Edward's death, the faith you had called out to the Holy Spirit. He then notified our Father. He sent me to you to ease your suffering and heal your mind."

"Praise God our Father for the resurrection. It means death does not mean a thing to those who follow me. Be at peace. Just remember you are never alone, and love surrounds you."

My eyes closed for a second, Jesus left. It is faith that connects us to the power of Christ and His resurrection?

My precious visit changed me.