I was in a prayer service one evening, praying for a family whose 38-year-old wife, the mother of three precious girls, had died. The Lord gave me this word picture, which I wrote for the family.

A few days ago you, and your family were walking joyfully through the beautiful prairies of life, enjoying each other and anticipating the future. One morning a tragic event plowed a deep and jagged ravine through the middle of your family, changing each of you forever. From this day forward your family will walk along that ravine.

Little did you know that nearby flowed a river filled with all the tears of grieving parents and husbands and wives and sons and daughters and children. There has never been a shortage of supply to keep the river full and flowing. In an instant, that river began to flood the newly-carved ravine in the midst of your family. At first it flowed violently as it sought to fill the depth of the ravine, and you were shocked at its force.

The days passed, and as you walked along you noticed something amazing beginning to occur. As the water rose and began to flow along the jagged banks, the gentle flow of the water began to smooth the jagged edges. As each day passed, you noticed other things: green gentle grass began to grow, flowers burst into bloom, trees brought their shade, a calm setting was being created. Even the character of the water began to change. Instead of the turbulent tears of grief, the water took on the calm character of healing.

Though you would never leave the banks of the river, you knew it was a new place of healing, safety, and hope.

Each of you settled into your journey, having lost, yet having gained the amazing healing of your Heavenly Father.

As the days pass and you continue your walk, there is something to draw you forward. It will be a while, but it will be worth the wait. You see, in each of your futures a day will come when you notice a glow farther ahead, along the banks of the river. Though anxious, you cannot speed to it—you will reach it in God's perfect timing.

The closer you get, the brighter will be the radiating glow. Your curiosity will increase and your heart will beat in anticipation. What could the source of that radiance possibly be?

Then will come the day when you are very near that radiance. Your eyes straining to define the source, you continue to look forward. Soon you seem to literally get caught up in the radiance, and a holy warmth begins to flood your entire being. Then it happens: the scales fall off your earthly eyes, and with heavenly vision you look across the still flowing river. Standing on that shore, caught up as well in the radiant warmth you will see your loved one, in spotless garments, happy, peaceful, rejoicing in the wonders she has experienced in the healing presence of God.

Borne by the Spirit, you fly across the waters and in an instant you will embrace. There will be no tears of sorrow, loss, or grief. There will be tears of joy flowing down your cheeks, dripping silently into the river and in that moment of reunion you will realize that the river you have followed for so many years has been all along the River of Life. Oh, what a reunion! Oh, what a realization! God has been guiding you to your perfect healing all along.

May God give you grace to walk the banks of this river in total trust of his unconditional love and healing.

Robert L. Anderson is pastor of Three Rivers, Michigan, Church of the Nazarene.

Holiness Today

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.