by David Harder
“You must be Michael?”
The being rolled his eyes and sighed, “Everyone makes that mistake. We don’t even look alike. My name is Raphael.”
“Oh, I meant no harm. Sorry.”
The angel smiled. “Have no fear. The Master, Jesus, went to greet other new arrivals. He asked me to guide you for a while. Come, there are others who would meet you.”
“Great, Raphael, because I have a ton of questions to ask you.”
The angel laughed. “I’m sure you do. They all have the same questions to ask.”
As Raphael and James drifted into a crowd of beings, James locked arms with Ethel and his mother. Infinity of time passed, yet on earth, it would have seemed like mere minutes or even perhaps a thousand years. James asked a million questions, and everyone was patient, taking their time to answer.
“Why is it I feel nothing but absolute peace and love, unlike I’ve ever felt before?”
Every being around him began to laugh. Suddenly, the familiar voice of Jesus appeared.
“Because, James, this is how My kingdom operates. Here, we experience the pure love that my Father intended from the start of creation. But, enough questions for now; I need to show you something else. Come.” Jesus extended his nail-scarred hand, and James stared at the holes. He slowly grabbed Jesus’ hand.
Instantly, they floated far and away from the throngs of beings. As they drifted past mountains, lakes, and forests, James could see wild animals of various types mixing and gathering below. Lambs played with lions, while others who would regularly hunt and eat each other lazily slept alongside one another. Fear was absent from all the creatures, and they were content to enjoy each other’s company. Finally, Jesus brought James near an endless horizon. Along the edge and behind him, James could see all of heaven; but when he looked over the edge, everything disappeared into a light blue haze.
“Keep looking, James; you’ll see in a moment.”
James stared into the hazy pool beneath, and as he looked, suddenly events on earth came into clarity. He saw a large room with hundreds of people. Music filled the space. It was as if he could reach out and touch the people below; it seemed so real. But when he tried, the scene returned to the hazy blue pool. After pulling his hand back, the image returned. He also could hear voices as if they were standing in front of him.
“Is that Nate? And look—there’s Joe, my neighbor!”
Jesus and James lay on the ground, next to one another, looking over the edge.
“Where is this, Jesus? I don’t recognize the place,” James asked as he turned his head toward Jesus.
Never moving his head, Jesus stared below. “Keep watching.”
Arleen walked into the room. The people seated in the row stood and moved down, so she could sit at the end. With an ache in his voice, James cried out.
“Arleen, my love, oh how I miss you.” James turned toward Jesus again. “Even dressed in black, this woman is radiant. I miss her so much. Why are you tormenting me by showing me this scene? Why are all these people gathered together?”
Jesus smiled and put His arm around James, pulling him in close. “Just watch. It will make sense in a moment.”
A smartly-dressed man walked to the front of the room.
“You know, I think the last time I stood in a church was on the day of my wedding. I was just as nervous that day as well.”
“That’s my lawyer, Tony Toncetti,” James exclaimed. “Why is he there, and whose church is this?”
Then James spotted his own portrait on the table in front of the church. Large flower bouquets draped the table, and a brass urn sat in the middle. James turned toward Jesus.
“This is my funeral?”
Jesus continued to smile. “Keep watching and learn, my son.”
One by one, James listened as each person walked up to the front and shared their encounter with James. When Arleen walked up front, James softly smiled.
“She’s so beautiful; I just wish we had more time together.”
“Ah yes . . . time,” Jesus remarked. “You always have too much or too little and never value that which you have.”
When Arleen finished speaking, he and Jesus watched the tearful exchange between Staci and Arleen, followed by the speeches of Stephanie and Robert.
“Tell me, Jesus, will my children be here in heaven, too? Will Arleen?” James pleaded.
“James, like you, each person has the choice to accept and believe in Me. Every person will decide. Their individual choice will determine their future.”
“But I want them to make the right choice. Can’t you send angels to help them or perform some kind of miracle? It happens in the movies all the time,” pleaded Jim.
Jesus smiled, “James, I want everyone to make the right choice. You have a free-will right to choose your own destiny. It is My prayer that everyone will make the correct decision.”
“You make it sound so effortless,” said Jim.
“For some, it is. For others, there are distractions like power, fortune, popularity, fame. Sometimes, drugs or drinking get in the way.”
“But didn’t You drink wine?”
“Moderation, James—moderation in all things. By themselves, none of the things I’ve listed get in the way. When these things become a priority, there is no room for Me in that person’s life, it is the path to separation and destruction.”
“Then I hope they make the right choice.”
“As do I, James.”
Jesus and James lay there together, watching and listening to the scene below. When the funeral was over, Jesus stood and looked into James’ eyes.
“Well, what did you think? What did you learn?”
“To tell the truth, those events seem so far away. I almost think the struggles don’t really matter that much.”
James looked puzzled.
“What troubles you, my son?”
“So, now what do we do?”
Jesus leaned his head back and let out a belly laugh. “Come and see, James. You are about to discover so much more.”
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife, Emily, for her belief in me, her support, and her tolerating the long journey it took me to write this book. Your patience and love are unconditional.
To Linda Humes—the first person to review my manuscript—thank you for all your editing, critique, and wisdom. I value your friendship.
To David Hinman, a good friend and pastor, who provides prayers and support in my life journey.
To Fred and Diane Laura of America’s Pie Company, for serving a delicious slice of heaven every Saturday with homemade ice cream. Thank you for your incredible support.
To Karleen Sucher, whose father provided the inspiration for the story.
To Kala Weinacker, Emily’s daughter, without her, there would be no epilogue and for allowing me to use her childhood stories.
To my mother, who encouraged me—as a child—to always seek higher goals and taught me how to enjoy life.
To the countless family and friends who supported and encouraged me to write.
To Sam Lowry at Ambassador International and the excellent team, for believing in me as an author and making Final Grains of Sand a reality.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
In the last chapter, two quotes are referenced from outside sources:
Manson, Mark. Mark Manson. Author. Thinker. Life Enthusiast. September 14, 2014. https://markmanson.net/life-purpose (accessed November 18, 2016).
Thompson, H. S. The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman. New York: The Random House Publishing Group, 1997.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Harder currently resides in the White Mountains of Arizona. In addition to writing, he is a featured clay artist. He grew up in southern California and served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict. For nearly eight years, he lived and worked in Germany. From sales and marketing, he eventually became a CEO and business owner bef
ore moving to Arizona. A graduate of San Jose College with a degree in business, David also studied at Santa Clara University.
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Final Grains of Sand
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