Cradled

Holding me closely, my mother was always comforting my heart. She brought me home from the hospital and cradled me in her arms. Sometimes, the pain and confusion would get so bad that I would curl up on the couch with her and weep. I remember a moment when I lay in her arms, but the familiar comfort couldn't stop my fear. Leaving the couch, I took short, determined steps toward the room that I slept in. My bones, every one of them, betrayed me. Flames of pain tormentingly wrapped around every inch. My brain lied to me, continuously telling me of its impending doom. You're going to die. I could hear it with every mind numbing moment. Every second felt like someone was using my head as a stress ball. When I reached the room, I knelt down on the floor and spoke to God. "I can't do this anymore. It hurts too much. God, I'm going to crawl up in that bed, believing that you will be there to hold me in your arms." I climbed into the bed, my face staring at the ceiling.

Astonished, I realized after some time that I was at peace. And not only at peace: I COULD NOT FEEL ANY PAIN! In that moment, I knew that God was holding me. I could feel him encircling me with his love and peace. It was so amazing, in fact, that I began to fear that I was dying!  God took that fear from me. Laying in the arms of God, floating somewhere between this life and eternity, I fell asleep painlessly for the first time.