BIRTHDAY HUG

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and God of all comfort."  II Cor. 1:3

      September 28, 1997.

      It couldn't have been a more beautiful day.  But then, September in California is most always sunny and warm.  My friends had kindly given me a ride to church and back, dropping me off with best wishes for a good day.  As I unlocked the front door, I prayed, "Oh God, help me get through today.  It's Audrey's birthday.  You know how sad I always feel on her birthday."

      Although it had been 17 years since Audrey died, I felt depressed and lonely.  Letting out a big sigh, I sat down on the sofa and began crying.  Angrily, I said to God, "Why does everybody have to die and leave me?  Audrey is gone and now R.J. is gone and I am all alone.  Life is just too hard.  Why don't You take me Home, too, Lord?  Discouraged and exhausted, I closed my eyes to rest a minute and drifted off to sleep.  While sleeping I had a beautiful dream:

      In the middle of the living room a man appeared and began walking toward me.  Approaching the sofa, his tousled gray hair and familiar gait left no doubt who it was--R.J.!  The look of compassion on his face as he gazed at me brought a flood of tears coursing down my face.  He sat down on the sofa beside me and I touched the sleeve of his shirt, thinking, this is his favorite green striped shirt I gave him for his birthday one year.  Tenderly he put his arms around me and gently hugged me, quelling the wrenching ache which had gripped my heart again.  Then, caressing my cheek with his hand, he looked into my eyes as if to say, 'I understand your pain, I'm so sorry.'  A moment later he stood up and, hesitating, smiled down at me in such a way that a warm glow filled my being.  I watched him turn and walk away, disappearing just as he had come.
 

      I woke up and looked around.  For a second, I expected to see R.J., but then realized it had been a dream.  I cried, "Oh Jesus, You knew how sad I was.  Thank You for giving me such a comforting, beautiful dream."  I no longer felt sad and lonely.  The knowledge that one day I will join them filled my heart with joy.

      Jesus knew just how to comfort me on Audrey's birthday.  He is the God of all comfort.  How tenderly He loves us!