Those Gates (NDE Recovery Journal, part 3)

A Journal of NDE Recovery, Day 7

Day 7

Why is it called a “near-death experience”? I actually DIED. But I guess because it’s not the final hurrah. Sheesh. Picky.

Couldn’t sleep last night until 2am or so. I decided to research Lazarus. We don’t know much about him, it seems. Only that he was poor and the brother of Martha and Mary. Although I hear later that he isn’t really poor. I find it interesting that in his death story, Martha and Mary reverse roles from the supper-with-Jesus-story that we usually affiliate them with.

Recovery is not fun. I am still reacting but tried a new med today that at least let me eat without my throat swelling. Still lightheaded and having BP drops sometimes. I have a new pattern: lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, sometimes restroom run. I am working at home and not driving at all. Dear God, please even out my body and reduce it’s reactionary state. Get this med out of my system soon. I can’t keep reacting if I am going to be a worker-bee for You.

Today I wonder – are everyone’s gates different? I have read near-death accounts/stories before. I’ve heard the gates described as pure rock, pure jewels or gold stately things and mine was…glass. I think. Although there were jewels embedded within. Maybe it was all jewels. They were moving so much it was hard to keep an eye on any particular one. All I know is, I love glass. I recently have been talking to hubby about going to visit the “glass beach” in California (although apparently, you aren’t allowed to collect them - Whaaaaat?!). I love agates, rocks and beach glass. I remember looking at the gate and thinking of my dad’s amazing mosaic creations he has made, including a timeline of our lives in a fireplace hearth. Is that why my gate was glass? I learn that the Bible says there are 12 gates – for the 12 Tribes.

Today I also can’t get the thought out of my mind that I would like to build a treehouse, as high as possible to get near heaven. I want to go back.

I also speak to a pastor in another State. They’ve counseled a couple for a few years and it seems obvious to leadership now that the man is at least emotionally abusive towards his wife. They decide it’s time for expertise. We talk for a long time and I offer resources. I ask him to have her call so I can do a safety/risk assessment and get her into some recovery options. He asks me to email all the info and when I do, he copies all his elders so they can learn more about abuse and how to respond to it. Thank you, God. Please get more churches to understand and prioritize their people. About 70% of the gals I work with have had a negative church or Christian counselor experience. The reality is, many do leave the church as a whole due to this and many stay in abusive marriages or relationships way past the time they should have due to the bad advice received. My friends, this is secondary abuse. Please educate yourselves.

I wonder if I should make a calendar and put the number of people on it each day who God has impacted through me being a worker-bee. I’m a bit curious. Done! And of course, it’s only the ones that I know of. You’ve gotta consider the ripple effects.

Read Part 1

Read Part 2