Glimpses of Heaven by Trudy Harris, RN. I have just finished reading this amazing journal of the experiences of a faith-filled Christian who has served in Hospice care. Trudy Harris heard her call from God and took the gifts He offered her and went to work as His servant.
The final paragraph of the book reads, “Dying is a very natural part of living. It is not an ending, but a beginning.” She shows death to be a transition into the life God has promised to all of His children. He wants us to eventually come home to be with Him after we finish the work that He has created us to do. “He loves us-believe it.”
Dying can be very scary, especially for those who do not know God our Creator, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Director. But Trudy Harris witnessed of God to all those with whom she came in contact. Many came to faith in God through her conversation, care and prayers. Trudy Harris reflects Christ. You can feel it in the stories. You are in awe of her and pray to God to be more like her.
My mother Diana, is also an RN. Long retired, but she still renews her license. My mother worked in emergency rooms, operating rooms and on the floors of hospitals and private doctors’ offices. My mother is the first person that I call when I am given a diagnosis by my doctor. She researches, questions and gets answers. She comforts and loves those that come to her. Every family member counts on her medical knowledge and insight. I see Christ reflected in her. I also hear hope.
My husband Earl, Senior Pastor at James Island Presbyterian Church, recently gave a sermon entitled, “The Roman Road.” One section of the sermon hit me at the time that he stated it, and I was reminded of it again as I read this book. He said, speaking of the church, “We are a hospital for sinners – not a Hospice for sinners. As much as Hospice did for my personal family – and I love the work of Hospice – and not everyone who enters Hospice also dies in Hospice… But by simple analogy, a church is not a place for sinners who have no cure and are made to feel comfortable until they die. The church is a hospital where patients are made better by the Great Physician and live eternally.”
The church is for healing and recovery. A place where all sinners go to be made well. We come to be cleansed by the Spirit of God through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. In the church, I also see hope.
Trudy’s book offers the reader a glimpse into the final days, hours and moments of those who are ready to leave this earth and transition into life eternal. To read about those visions comforts the reader and gives knowledge to the believer that when God calls us home, He blesses us by His Holy presence. When God calls us home to begin a new life with Him, it is not frightening. It is more than we can possibly imagine. And that is why I believe in God’s living hope.
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:15
pastorswifelife 