Peace Like a Prayer:

             Kylie woke early with the sun. She lay in bed thinking of how much she had changed. “I’ve been so different since I met Joshua; I would never have awakened before the sun voluntarily, and I never would be dressing so quickly to see a man like Joshua.” She touched the pendant, one more of her treasures from a gentle man, a man who she wouldn’t have ever noticed in the city.

            “It seems strange that he gives me so many gifts, and yet I’d give them all away to spend my life with him alone. He’s my true treasure, and today is my day alone with my one, true love.”

            She ran out of the door to their usual spot. Joshua was there waiting for her. “Have you been waiting long, Joshua?”

            “I would linger here forever to wait for you.”

            “I hope I don’t take that long to dress, Joshua.” They hugged and laughed. 

            Joshua invited Kylie to jump into the boat, “Care to go to our island?”

            “Of course. I love being there alone with you.” So, she stepped into the boat as Joshua rowed.

            On the island, breakfast was waiting with pillows arranged around a blanket. Joshua took some pillows set them up to make it even more comfortable for Kylie. “I’d like to try something before we eat. Sit back and be comfortable.” Joshua poured some oil on Kylie’s forehead; and it trickled over her head, covering her face and flowing around her eyes. He held hands with Kylie, and she started to glimpse the beautiful place she had seen before the snake crawled upon her.

            She sat on a grassy meadow that smelled of the same fragrance as the oil. The feel of the satiny soft oil against her skin with a warm, gentle feeling of peace and unity, and the whole locale gave Kylie a sense of serenity. The oil’s fragrance gave sensations of every delicacy which she had ever enjoyed, yet she had an ability to discriminate each individual component as it separated and blended the sensations at once.

            The breeze that touched her skin relaxed and soothed her while the light warmed her. The perfume of innumerable flowers combined, like the taste, yet she could differentiate her favorite scent of lavender. As she lay hearing the worship, she felt a unified part of the worship while able to be distinctly herself. Everything shared a melody but sang a unique song of worship to God. While there was diversity, there was unity. She saw the sky and noticed that there was light from everywhere, but there was no cloud or sun. The warmth and light came from another source. She saw a sky that was the most glorious blue without any cloud. The grass under her was a deep green without any sign of defect.

            As she started to adjust to this world that was so different from Sanctuary, she heard familiar voices calling her name. She thought she’d have to get up, but immediately she was enveloped in loving, welcoming arms. Looking into the eyes of her four parents, she saw the love each had given to her during her childhood. She sensed the same wisdom between the differences and yet the harmony among their parenting styles. “Joshua thought you would like to spend time with us; and we knew you’d be here. Coming to this world is a change, but here is the truth about love and life.”

            Where is here? Kylie thought.

            Her biological mother responded, though quicker than words could express. “You are in God’s presence. On Earth, it’s considered Paradise or Heaven. Here, we consider it life, and we are more alive than ever on Earth.”

            Kylie wondered, “So, we don’t speak here?” Her mother responded, “You certainly may speak here. Nevertheless, we all live in a fluid love that surrounds everyone. If it makes you more secure, we can speak with our voice; but we sense your questions. We want to make you more peaceful.”

            Her family invited her to a picnic near a brilliant river which glimmered and shone unlike anything on earth. She sat on a blanket like with Joshua and shared her favorite foods with her parents. Her questions flooded her like the river bouncing over rocks. Therefore, her parents told their story answering questions before she was able to voice them.

            Her biological parents knew they were in love from the time they first met, though there was a love for God that was more important to them than their love for each other. They saw each other in synagogue, and they realized they cared deeply for each other. They also realized that through the readings, lessons and chants they were worshiping a God who had interceded and saved so many of their lineage. They realized that miracles in the Bible had appeared more common and that people almost expected God to intercede. They both thought that people in the Bible had a closer connection to God and wished for that harmony in their life. 

            As they grew during their teenage years, they were both supportive of each other when life was good and difficult. Time matured their love in college, and they saw the changes that life brought until they realized they couldn’t spend their time apart; and they joined under the chuppah. Their marriage was completed with love, trials, and laughter.

            One day, Kylie’s mother explained was her happiest. Their child was born from the love they shared, and they considered Kylie to be a limitless gift from the God they served all their life. They named her Kehillah meaning victorious. They loved their beautiful daughter and blessed her with their prayers since she was their greatest treasure. Her mother described how every day was like looking at a precious crystal splitting the light into a prism of different colors as they saw each of Kelilah’s new discoveries. Kehillah grew physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

            One sad day, Kelilah’s uncle notified his sister that their parents died. While Kelilah’s parents packed for the funeral, Kehillah, normally a happy child, wailed inconsolably. Her parents discovered Kehillah had a fever and a painful cold. So, their neighbor, a nurse, promised to care for their child during the funeral.

            That night was a cloudless night; however, while driving home from the funeral, a huge truck hit their car and their next memory was of the field of grass. They didn’t know what had happened, and there was no pain for them. When they saw their departed parents; they knew they were in Heaven, and they were beyond pain and beyond sorrow. Though they thought of their daughter, they knew that their friends would raise and protect their most precious gift.

            Kehillah hugged her biological parents and asked the question she always wanted to have answered, “Are you proud of me?” Her mother’s countenance showed intense joy and pride. “God gave you to us for just a small season. We couldn’t be any prouder of who you are and what you will become. You are our child, but you are also a gift to the world. Each day of your life we’ve celebrated over you.”

            Kehillah looked at her adoptive parents. The same love radiated from them. They explained the rest of her narrative but without words. When we found out about your parent’s accident, you were still a very sick child. We were afraid that you would not survive from the fever, so we prayed and used every medicine we could to break the fever. You were the primary focus of our love. Each day that passed, we grew to love you more. We knew your parents, but we didn’t know anyone in your family, and we grew to love you for yourself—your soul and spirit. We weren’t raised in the same background as your parents. We didn’t know their prayers, chants or history, but we did know the same love for God. So, we taught you what we knew of God.

            We believe in the same One True God; His spirit and love were from your parents. We celebrate His Love using a different format, but we have a relationship with God through His Only Son. We watched you grow. You loved us, and we loved you. Though you weren’t biologically related, you were no less our daughter through our love. When your first parent’s family found you and came to take you with them; they saw a joyous, contented, blissful, and loving child. They knew the confusion that would happen if they took you out of the home you had known; and so, with such sadness, they left you with us. They thought it would be selfish to steal your home and safety. They were always around you, even though you never saw them. They watched over you and prayed for you. Their most difficult task was watching over you from afar without being able to embrace you.

            When we raised you, we gave you the gifts of knowledge of God that we knew. We gave you independence, so our home became filled with love, trust, and joy. Through your first parents, your uncles and aunts; you became full of insight and devotion–a natural leader. Through God you were given beauty, grace, forgiveness, wisdom, and authority. You have had so many blessings spoken over you, and you are a gift beyond human understanding.

            At this point, if there were tears in Heaven, Kylie would have shed oceans of tears from joy. The time with these dear people was shortening; however, Kylie felt like this time with them was a pure generosity and benevolence.

            She hugged each person trying to remember the person’s scent, feel, look, voices (as far as she could describe it). They all said, “Kylie, we love you and are awaiting your return when you will never leave. However, you are with Joshua who will keep you safe and loved. You are priceless to him, and that makes you even more incomparably treasured.”

            Her family gave her a short tour around the land. She saw sights that defied human descriptions. Before leaving, her family gave her a short tour around the land.

            She watched children playing. Every child looked innocent, peaceful, and radiated an intense joy. They didn’t seem to have a mother around, but all behaved, shared, and helped everyone else. There was no language barrier or limitations. Their games were filled with fun and laughter.

            One beautiful child chased a ball that had rolled at her feet. The child ran to her as she picked up the lovely ball which shone with different colors. She gave this handsome child the ball who said, “Thank you, Mother.” Immediately she wondered if this would be the child that would be blessed from her marriage to Joshua. She looked at all the children playing so happily and wondered about her children.

            As she arrived at the grassy field, she had mixed feelings. She had been elated to see and communicate with her family, and she was happy to spend the day with Joshua; however, she was sad that her time in Heaven would be closing. She tried to take one more whiff, one more look and one more hug. As she opened her eyes, the next view was of Joshua’s sky-blue eyes. “Did that make your morning better, my love?” Joshua simply held her hands and let her relax in his arms as she adjusted to the weight her body now felt.

            Kylie’s feelings tumbled out with her thoughts, “That was so astounding, Joshua, beyond words. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew you’d be waiting. My loving family, oh Joshua, they loved me! They’re proud of me and waiting for me. They aren’t dead and gone. They’re living in a place so much more than any beautiful vacation place I’ve ever visited. The beauty of each person, I remember my adopted parents; but they never looked so peaceful and radiant. There were no lines, gray hair, frailties, limitations—my adopted mother always had a pair of glasses she wore; but she had no glasses. I remember my adopted father had been overweight, but he was lean and powerful when I saw him. Still, I could tell who they were. I remember my second parents as beautiful in their ways; but in Heaven, they are brilliant and luminous. I simply can’t put the people I saw with the people I knew as a child.”

            She looked into Joshua’s eyes, “Did I really see them so inadequately?” Joshua laughed, “Kylie, they were in Heaven. There are no wrinkles in Heaven. There is no need for glasses, canes, wheelchairs, or any other device to make health better on Earth.” Joshua explained the truth about life— true life in Heaven. The glow you saw was their love radiating towards you— their true love, not limited by earthly concerns, pains, or weaknesses. You were loved by so many more people than you saw, and you will meet them later. But, until then, I want to be with you.

            Joshua and Kylie sat on the beach, held hands, and prayed the now familiar chants over the food. They shared brunch as the sun was brightly shining over the sky, flooding them with warmth and beauty.

            “I never would have thought months ago that I would be happy with clothes that are scratchy, food that is prepared in primitive surroundings and with no silverware.” Kylie laughed and continued, “I love being on this beach with a gentleman who has taught me so much more than I knew in all my schooling. I learned lessons about the history of justice, but you’ve taught me the spirit of justice. I would never have considered a person like you in my life, but now I can’t think of a day in my life without your spirit, as you’ve revealed it to me.”

            After eating, Joshua invited her to come lay on some rafts he had made from light, waterproof barks. Kylie and Joshua lay in the water, just spending time together laughing and just being alone.”

             “Joshua, I held your hand all day, yet you have food prepared. How do you do that?”

            “I told you before to trust me because I have food you’ve never known. I have everything under control, but you don’t understand the whole picture. Kylie, life is like a single jigsaw puzzle piece without the picture, and you can’t see what the whole picture shows.”

            “Joshua, I never thought you would be so vital in my life, but today makes me want to spend every day alone with you. When we are married, will we have children?” Joshua smiled, “We will have as many progeny as the stars102, but not exactly traditionally.”

            “That’s good, because I think I would get tired after a few childbirths. I’ve learned to try to trust you and not ask too many questions. You are unique; and I’m glad I accepted that robe on our carriage ride, but I find myself longing for it after this scratchy outfit.” They laughed. “You will wear that robe, but you must be patient.”

            “Joshua, will Stan attack me again?”

            “Stan will attack you, but not directly. Everything that happens is organized, though it doesn’t appear that way when you see it. Think of life as a complex labyrinth. As you are walking through it, there is no rhyme or reason for the path; however, as you see the maze from above, it makes sense.” He explained further. “If Stan attacks someone you love, he hurts that person; but he also hurts you—two for the price of one attack. Then, if you keep the pain inside of you, he wins a third victory. However, if you can see this as part of a larger picture or see some reason for the suffering, you will win the victory over Stan. He wants to hurt you. That doesn’t mean you won’t be harmed, but if you let him control your mind, he will win what he wants most clearly.” The day was starting to close, so Kylie knew she would have to go to “everyday” life. She took one serene, loving hug. Since Joshua was faithful, she knew that would have to satisfy until their wedding night. Though she thought she knew what that night may include, she had no actual idea how her wedding would be so completely unparalleled.