... Peter, going to heaven isn't something we should be afraid of. It's a place of unimaginable beauty and peace. And all three of us are going to meet up again there someday. This dying business is only a temporary separation. Like we talked about if you'd gone off to university.’
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‘Janet is certain that all three of us will meet up again... in heaven, a place more beautiful than we can imagine. I wanted to believe that too so I asked God to show me if it was. And whether I'd see Mum and Dad. I didn't expect he would, but...’
Peter drew a breath. ‘It was just after two in the morning when I awoke. Janet was my first thought, but she was sound asleep. And then it all came back... clear as if I was there again. We were in the sea, splashing each other and laughing. Janet, you and me... a girl I didn't recognise and three children. One was Ricky. I know that because I called his name. He came over, and I lifted him onto my shoulders. Janet smiled at us. That lovely smile, just as she had before getting sick. So good—like the sea... warmer and bluer than ever, the sun more golden, the breeze—cool and relaxing... and the joy in everyone's faces... I've never felt happiness like that before. And as I looked back at the shore, there was Mum and Dad. Young, like when I was a child. Oh, to see Mum's face again, without bandages... healed. That was so good. They smiled at me and then I noticed the other girl waving at my parents. Holding the hand of a little girl. And I wondered... could this be Mandy, the sister I never knew? With her child? I ran towards her, calling her name. I’d almost reached her when everything disappeared. I suppose that's when I woke up.’
There were tears in Peter's eyes. ‘At first, I felt sad because it was only a dream. And then I remembered my prayer and what Janet had said about heaven. Charlene... it was just like I'd seen... a place where you meet up with people you’ve known, and all the sickness they had on earth is gone. OK, I didn't see any angels, harps and stuff. Or Jesus. But something inside told me I wasn't just imagining things that I hoped for. What I’d seen was real. Like the dream I had in London on the day of my parents' funeral. Then, I knew Mum, and Dad were in heaven. And that I would see Janet again. Just like she had said.’
Peter wiped his eyes. ‘I know it sounds crazy. To believe in two experiences from God... one after the other.’
Charlene smiled, remembering how she'd felt when telling what had happened the night, she wanted to kill herself. That had sounded crazy too. But she knew she had seen something from God who acted when Janet's words weren't quite enough. Just like perhaps he was doing with Peter now. Charlene wasn't sure how to tell if Peter's dream came from God, but looking into his eyes, she knew he had no doubts.
Her favourite verse, John 3:16, makes it clear that those dying in faith go to heaven, a place where the Bible says we will recognise those we have known on earth. And somewhere in the book of Revelation, it states that's where God will wipe away all tears. They'll be no more dying, crying, or pain. Just like Peter saw.
So, did it matter where the dream came from? Or that it was just a dream. Not at all. Because it got Peter to believe something true. A few days ago, he was struggling to trust unless God gave him what he wanted. Now he could do that whatever happened. Surely this was the reward? His own picture of heaven. Just what the God she worshipped would be doing. So yes, this dream definitely came from him.
‘It's not crazy at all,’ Charlene whispered as she reached out and pulled Peter into her arms. ‘God's making up for lost time in his relationship with you. Just like he promises in one of the Prophets... To give you back the years that the locust has eaten.’