GraceNotes: Glimpses of Heaven

I have digressed from the accounts of grace and God's fingerprints all over the events surrounding my dad's time in the hospital. There are so many more stories to tell, and many more yet to unfold, I have a feeling, in the coming days.

So here is another touch of love and encouragement from God through the time my dad was in the hospital.

It was the third day my dad was in a coma that this story unfolded. Matt and Carolyn had just arrived at the hospital, and as Matt was walking towards my dad's room at the end of the hall he had a book in his hand. Initially I thought perhaps Carolyn had bought it because I knew she had been to the Barnes and Noble close to the apartment. I was curious about it as the title caught my eye. "Glimpses of Heaven: True Stories of Hope and peace at the End of Life's Journey" published by Revell (who I would love to write for, I might add...).

I asked Matt where the book had come from and he simply answered that a woman in the waiting room had given it to him, and then vanished. Another angel? Who was she?

I took the book and held it in both of my hands, determined to locate the woman who had given us this gift, eager to hear why. Carolyn said the woman's husband was a patient in the same unit, and that she would point her out to me when she saw her.

I didn't need to wait too long, as during one of my visit breaks Carolyn gestured to a woman walking away from the waiting room.

Not to miss my opportunity to talk to her, I ran after her, saying, "excuse me, lady in the white sweater who gave a book to my son..." at any other place I am certain I would have been labeled as a lunatic. But not here. Not now.

She turned and smiled and we talked. I asked her why, what had prompted this incredible gift. She answered that she had been on the cell phone with her daughter and saw Matt in the hallway, crying. At that moment she said the Spirit just came over her in a very powerful way, communicating to her that it wasn't her husband's time but it was time for someone in this young man's family,and the book was to be passed on for such a time as this.

Through her responding to the nudge of the Spirit we were blessed. The listening and responsive ear is such a valuable way of sharing God's love.

We talked some more, and now I am not sure where I put her contact information. I hope she reads this and comments. I want to continue to thank her for being yet another angel who ministered to us during my dad's time in the hospital.

Peace.