O’ Death where is thy sting - A Glimpse of Glory

John was a retired pastor in the very late stages of dementia when I met him. He was non-verbal, withdrawn and not eating much. He slowly declined as his disease process progressed. Within a few months John was showing signs of transitioning to an active dying state. On the night John would die, I was called to come to the facility where he was living. His wife and two daughters had been keeping vigil all that day. Only his one daughter was in the room when I arrived as the other family members had gone to get some dinner. John was unresponsive at this point and was resting comfortably in bed. His breathing was easy and he did not appear to be in any pain.

John’s daughter and I were in the room and she was sharing memories of her father with me. All of a sudden John became very animated! His eyes reminded closed but he was smiling and talking inaudibly. His arms were moving very expressively. He laughed silently and appeared to be in conversation with someone. His being a pastor in life, his daughter and I wondered who he might be talking to. Or maybe he was giving a sermon to a new audience. Maybe he was greeting an old friend or family member who’d died previously.

This experience lasted for approximately 30 minutes. Then John returned to his prior state of calm unresponsive. He died about 1/2 hour later very peacefully. I’d never experienced anything quite like this. His daughter and I enjoyed getting a “glimpse of glory” through John’s eyes. I wonder what God had in mind giving John’s daughter this precious time and gift with her father. What an honor to be present at this time and what a wonderful memory this was being able to witness God’s preparation for his child coming into his kingdom.