Natalee's Blog

She lay in the hospital bed, trying to sleep . . . longing for sleep. The heart attack had come three days before, so unexpectedly that the doctors couldn’t diagnose it at first. She felt better now, though her new health issues weighed heavily on her mind.

When my aunt felt soft fingers wiggle her toes, she guessed the nurse must be waking her (again). But she opened her eyes and saw someone else. It was Mom—Mom as she looked 15 years ago, gray hair just mixing with the brown. Mom walked around the bed, her white Keds squeaking on the hard floor, and then she disappeared. 

Mom—my grandma—passed away two and a half years ago. Alzheimer’s had stolen her always-kind, always-upbeat personality, and old age had taken her ability to walk without support. But 15 years ago she was a spiritual giant in our family, and my mentor.

I know Grandma is with Jesus now, and when I first heard about my aunt’s “vision of Grandma,” I concluded an angel had appeared to her, looking like Grandma. Or maybe the vision was just that, and a gift from God to encourage my aunt.

Why doesn’t Grandma visit me? I found myself wondering. I could use a little encouragement after drudging through seven months of unemployment. But I don’t believe God wants me to seek out comfort from dead people. In fact, I just counseled someone to never do that. If Christ alone is enough, as my mind tells me He is, I can rest in His presence alone. I can know He gives each person what he or she needs. Sometimes it’s no vision. It’s Him alone.

Grandma would have told me that!