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Near-Death Experience

Have you ever had a near-death experience? Your wife probably has if she's ridden in the car with you! Just ask her to share. But have you ever had a brush with death where you lost consciousness? I have.

I'm not talking about the time when four armed men came waltzing into my bedroom and held a gun to my head. Nor am I thinking of the time when an angry drunk had a footlong butcher knife to my chest while saying that he didn't care a lick if he went to jail for the rest of his life. No, not those times. This time was different.

I was at home in bed, and Dawn was in the States. So, just Abby and I were home. I woke up feeling a pain coming from deep down in my soul. For some reason, the first thing that I thought of was KIDNEY STONE! Though I had never had one before. As I struggled to my feet and shuffled towards the kitchen, I continued to feel a welling paint overtake me. It was this thing that was coming and that I had no control over.

I reached the kitchen sink, grabbed a plastic cup, drew some water, and guzzled it down. I am not a water person, so this was rare for me. However, it seemed that if I did have a stone, then this is what I should be doing. I drank more water. Then, I felt this stinging pain in my chin! Chin?

I had fainted, fell flat on my face, and hit my chin on the floor. I was bleeding and wet as my water cup had drenched me in the fall.

I now understand that this event was what could only be understood as a near-death experience. I did not see a tunnel or an approaching light, but I felt intense pain and lost consciousness.

The outcome of this weird happening was a trip to the hospital for stitched in my chin. There was also the blessing of a wise daughter who counseled me to call friends for help rather than driving to the hospital myself. Those friends, Carlos and Mara, were precious angels who came to my aid without a second's hesitation. This occurrence allowed me to understand how sly death can be. It comes without much warning and with no choices. You submit because you have no defense or options.

I awoke from my near-death experience to live another few years. It's been sixteenth years, to be exact. The Lord's mercy has abounded in those years, and I have seen eight grandchildren born to our three girls. I've seen a church planted and another helped by my feeble efforts during those years. God is always good, no matter what the outcome may have been.

Cherish the moments and live to proclaim His mercy that has been demonstrated in your life! You won't regret it.

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