We came to services in a normal manner. We parked and chatted on our way to the entrance. The sanctuary was quite expansive, cavernous even, seating 700 potential worshippers on a super bowl-type weekend like this. This was Easter Sunday. We sat together on our normal side, to the right as you face front. The seats were cushioned with dark red, wine colored fabric.
It had been 5 months since the passing of our youngest daughter, Carly. Her life had been like a shooting star, short yet brilliant. She was a miracle in many ways living 7 ½ years with the diagnosis of full Trisomy 18. We shuffled in and sat near the front, a bit numb with fresh grief and broken hearts. To my right were my other two daughters, beautiful, intelligent and unique. Kathryn, always considered older than her actual age, with long reddish-brown hair and broad shoulders, was 17 years-old. Janae, smaller boned than her older sister, had dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. Janae was sometimes mistaken for a year or two younger than her age. She was 12.
I was always grateful for the start of worship music. Traditionally, this is where I loosened my grip of earth for the power and majesty of Heaven. The music soared. I shut my eyes, lifted one of my hands and let His presence wash over me. Before long, I spied something in the Spirit realm; a little girl was bounding over a small bright- green hill. She held up high in one hand, a stick with a small banner at the end that swayed back and forth. She wore a frilly white dress. As she approached, I realized that this was Carly! This scene touched the deepest parts of my soul with such happiness, though it filled my eyes with hot tears. She took my hand and led me behind the hill to a sort of cave. It was cramped. The white stone surrounding us was damp. Maneuvering to fit, I uncomfortably bowed my back and lowered my head and settled in. No sooner had that occurred,Carly said, “Mommy, Mommy look!”
For all her life on earth, Carly only had two “words” the babbling sounds of “Da, da, da” and “Ma, ma, ma.” To hear in the Spirit realm three complete words left me completely undone! I began to weep. My chest even heaved a bit. I glanced to see what she was so excited to show me. There was a long, flat surface. At the end there were white, tattered strips of cloths. They were folded over themselves as if someone thoughtfully placed them there. I gasped; she was showing me the empty tomb! Today was Easter and she showed me the place of Jesus’ resurrection! The power of the moment overwhelmed my senses. The tears came in succession. I thought of my other daughters sitting there. The last thing I wanted to do was to scare them with my unleashed emotions. I looked at Carly and said, “I am sorry, but I have to go.” And just like that, that vision ended.
Matthew 28:5-7 “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed he is going before you into Galilee…”
Broken but Beautiful 