"A taste of
heaven"
I had already started
on the immunotherapy treatments but I was still feeling pretty good.
I was sitting up in my hospital bed when I began to feel the presence
of the Lord in a way I never experienced before. Even though I was completely
aware of my surroundings I was still caught up in His wonderful presence.
The peace and calm that enveloped me was incredible beyond words. I
just sat there with my hands raised to heaven. At some point I said
out loud that I was on the edge of eternity. To be honest with you I
thought I was going to die although I don't know if I had the clinical
signs to indicate that. Be that as it may, I wasn't concerned about
Becky, the kids, or anything else as I knew God would take care of them.
I was in His presence and that is all that mattered.
About that time
Becky entered my room and overheard my statement. She rushed to my bedside,
grabbed my arm and prayed "Oh, Lord, please don't take Doug yet."
Even though that glorious experience began to subside, it had a tremendous
effect on me. It certainly made 2 Corinthians chapter 12 much more real
to me, although I certainly don't claim to compare my experience with
the man who "was caught up to the third heaven." Psalms 23:4
became even more real than it has before. "Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for
you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (NIV)
Revelation
21:4 describes it so well, "He will wipe every tear from their
eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for
the old order of things has passed away." (NIV)
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in
me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be
with me that you also may be where I am." (NIV)
This experience
simply reinforces the biblical perspective that this world is not our
home and that our life is simply a vapor. I'm looking forward to eternity
as never before because the Lord gave me a taste of heaven.
Yours in Christ,
Doug Sutherland
