Behind The Smile

Behind The Smile

The LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17

“Dr. Anderson, I have a question for you,” Virginia said. “Why do you smile all the time? You’re surrounded all day by sick and dying patients.”

Virginia had been very observant of the moods of the caregivers who had come in and out of her hospital room that day. She was in an especially reflective state of mind because we had just diagnosed her with metastatic pancreatic cancer. She knew that her time on earth was coming to an end.

“I smile because I believe there is a very thin veil that separates us from where we are right now to where we are meant to be in heaven. Heaven isn’t something we run to, it walks alongside us. When I have the honor of being at a patient’s bedside when that veil is pulled back, I get a small sneak-peek into heaven. That experience fills my soul with gladness.”

“I know you have only a few minutes before you have to attend to other patients,” Virginia said, “but would you pray with me, and for me, this morning? I would be honored if you would.”

“I always have time to pray,” I said as I took her hand.

“Lord, we know that the timing of Virginia’s journey is in your hands. Help her know how close you are and that her journey home is not a long one. Reassure her that we, as your servants, will do everything we can to make the time she has left on earth as free of pain as possible. Encourage her to know that we will be by her side as she is delivered into your hands.”

Three days later, I was back in Virginia’s very crowded room. Her loved ones had come to help deliver her into the next world. Right before the veil parted, Virginia looked up and to the right in what I call “the gaze of glory.” She had a glow on her face when she took her last breath. Everyone in the room could feel the Lord’s presence as she passed, and we all smiled.

TODAY’S RX

It’s possible to smile at death when we know that heaven’s foyer is on the other side of the veil.

Jesus, Prince of Peace, you are the calmer of the seas. You bring perfect peace to the hearts of all who have faith in you. I thank you for the peace you’ve given me.