Dave Liles, January 24, 2020
The tracks were in an open field. They proceeded westward, then bore right just a little toward an unknown destiny. A distant light signaled the end of day. The tracks were surrounded by trees, grass, gravel, a field, and a small wooden station for people waiting to catch the train that inevitably comes for everyone.
Marian was there during the last few hours of her life eagerly waiting for her train to come. At last the train did come and the great Engineer stopped, not only for her get on, but to welcome her aboard. He dispatched an angel conductor, who took her by the hand and led her to a car that was celestially beautiful, more perfect and beautiful than anything Marian had ever seen in her life.
The car shone with a bright golden light that came from no apparent source. While she knew she had gotten on a train car, this seemed infinitely larger than anything she had ever seen. Everything seemed to change in an instant. She soon had the feeling she was no longer on the train. There were people everywhere, walking about, some singing, some just talking, some reclining, resting by the most beautiful river she had ever seen. There were all kinds of magnificent trees on either side of the river. There were larger figures there also, watching, as if standing guard. They resembled the conductor who helped her on to the train.
Then, she saw some familiar faces. She could not believe her eyes. She saw her mom, then dad, then her brother, whose name was Tom, then ancestors she had either known or heard of. Tears of joy began to flow. The reunion was grander than she had ever imagined.
They all gathered around her. Then dad said, "First you need to come with us." They all started down the middle of what was apparently a massive, golden street. Dad was on one side of Marian, mom on the other.
Then she saw it. It was an enormous throne, towering above anything else in the city. She looked up and saw One sitting on the throne. It seemed that the light of the city came from this One, and the throne he sat on. He looked at her with a piercing, loving, cleansing gaze. He smiled then stretched out a hand that looked to be scarred.
Marian immediately dropped to her knees, then fell on her face in the presence of this One, as did everyone with her. It seemed to be the only response possible. There was a massive crowd gathered around the throne, all on their knees, many face down, but He seemed to focus only on Marian. He reached down and picked her up and said, "Welcome to my home."
In the distance she heard the train pull away.
I wonder what it was like five minutes after Marian breathed her last.
