Finding Faith: A short story

This story came to me in a dream, and I had to put it down and to share it. I hope you enjoy it and more so I hope you find comfort in it. God bless. 

Finding Faith 

By  Dusty Vaughn

Emily Sotiris was eighty-seven years old in her final moments on earth. She was at home, surrounded by her loving husband, Bill, who was a deacon at their little small town Baptist church, and their three children, all of which were in ministry, the oldest two worship ministers and the youngest having just graduated seminary as a pastor. And her greatest blessing was she not only knew but lovingly followed her lord Jesus. Yet, there was still an aching regret within her heart of hearts. A guilt she had never forgiven herself for, no matter how many told her that in Christ her sins had all been forgiven. It still pulled at her heart, pulled at her soul. Even in this her final minutes.

On this Saturday afternoon, at twelve forty-two in the afternoon, she breathed her last breath. And this story begins.

She remembered seeing her family’s faces as she closed her eyes, but when she opened them, she was looking down a long golden pathway. She looked down at herself, and discovered her old, weak body had been transformed in an instant. Gone were the wrinkles, trembling weak limbs and scarred, broken body, in their place it was as if she was in her prime and in perfect health. 

She looked up when she heard voices singing “Holy holy holy! Is the Lord God Almighty! Who was and is and is to come!” Her body began to tremble at the sight of a majestic throne with mighty angels in flight above it singing praises. And on the throne was a figure that could only be described as pure light, pure beauty, pure power. Powerful intimidation and perfect love all in one.

As if on their own her feet began walking down the golden path toward the throne, the angels above it and along the path singing his praises. But as she walked, the guilt in her heart and soul began to grow stronger and stronger. As if an unseen prosecutor was declaring how unworthy she was for her great sin, this horrible deed that her heart wouldn’t allow her to forget. But there was another voice, a Comforter, as if saying ‘trust me. It will be ok’. As she approached, she found another presence, dressed in robes of crimson and white, kneeling on the ground, drawing pictures with his finger.

She stopped just a few feet from the man and the throne, and he stood up a welcoming smile upon his face as he pulled back the hood of his robes and beamed at the woman. He walked toward her and held out his nail scarred hands and with joy and love in his voice. “Welcome home, My child, well done.”

“Jesus…” She choked out his name, as tears spilled from her heartbroken blue eyes, and ran down her cheeks. She collapsed down on her hands and knees as tears splashed down on the perfect, golden stones. “No. I don’t deserve it. I’m guilty. I’m a murderer. I killed my baby.”

Jesus stood there as His and the Father’s eyes rested on her as she cried, trembling before them. Memories of her teenage years flooded back. She was a cheerleader and had gained the interest of the star quarterback of the high school football team. He was a charmer with crimson hair and green eyes. He had her wrapped his finger. And he convinced her one night after a championship game to ‘celebrate’ and she made a mistake she instantly regretted. It only compounded when a short time later she discovered she was pregnant. Her boyfriend was already a star athlete with already several potential scholarships before him, and his dad was a prominent pastor in the small community. She remembered the horrific conversation clearly as her tears intensified. How it would destroy both of their futures and would hurt his father’s ministry if it came out that they had a child out of wedlock. She let him and his family talk her into believing she had no other option. A choice she made that yet again she immediately regretted and still did to that very moment before her Lord. She could picture the tombstone and empty plot she had saved for months and purchased herself. She could see the flowers and the beautiful little name she had given her first daughter, whom she had never forgotten. Whom she had aborted. Whom she had murdered.

“I killed her, Lord…” Emily sobbed, her face almost to the ground, “I murdered her… I don’t deserve to be in your presence. I don’t deserve it.”

“My sweet, beautiful child…” Jesus’ soft loving voice spoke through her sobs, causing her to glance up at his caring face. “Look.”

Emily blinked at him before her eyes were drawn to his left hand, and the little hand he held within it. Beside him was this beautiful little girl. Her long red hair ran down to her waist and her green eyes danced with anticipation as she stared at the crying woman.

Emily’s lips trembled even more before she managed to force out, at barely a whisper. “Faith?”

“MOMMY!!!!” Faith exclaimed as she threw herself at Emily, wrapping her arms around her neck. “I’ve been so excited to see you!!!!”

Emily didn’t know what to say as she wrapped her arms around the little girl, who was rambling on and on about how she had been watching her, and was so excited when her brothers and sister were born, and how beautiful and fun it’s been with Jesus.

“How… how can you forgive me?” Emily asked as Faith’s little hands touched her cheeks.

“I already have, Mommy,” She said with a smile, “And Jesus already did, too.” She said, before hugging her again. “You don’t have to feel guilty anymore, silly.”

Emily could do nothing but hug her daughter tightly and cry. A moment later she felt another set of arms wrap around her, and then another, as well as the Comforter flowing through her even more strongly.

She looked up and Jesus was holding her, and not just Him, but the Father had stepped down from the throne to embrace his daughters as well. “Come,” Jesus spoke into Emily’s ears. “These will be your final tears, for you will find no condemnation within Me. Let’s go where you will find no more pain, sadness, guilt, death…” He said, before glancing at the little girl in her arms, “Nor separation, ever, ever again.”

She nodded, taking Jesus’ hand and Faith took his free one as He guided them into paradise.  

Romans 8:1

Revelation 21:1-7

The Beginning