I had a dream a few nights ago. Linda and I were walking on our journey together, and we both realized it was about to end. She was very weak, and we needed a place to rest.

 

There were two different buildings. One with the sound of laughter and the other with mourning. We were both very tired. It had been a very long trip, and we both decided laughter was something we couldn't relate to. I opened the door to The House Of Mourning and we waited patiently inside.

 

A tall lanky stranger asked how he could be of help. I curiously stated that it was odd Linda and I were about to end our journey and yet these were the only two buildings available until we finally arrive at our final destination. I explained we had traveled a long, difficult road to get here and we just needed a place to stay for the night. He nodded with a pleasant look of understanding and said we were more than welcome.

 

"You see," he said, "The House Of Laughter you just passed by is for those who don't want to face reality so no one is ever serious about anything. No one ever sleeps; unless these doors are shut, no one could sleep a wink.  Constant joking and carousing takes place over there. Little do they know what lies ahead.

 

"On the other hand, this is a place for those who have heartache and pain. A place of solace and where you can rest your tired and weary bodies. All are welcome, and I personally know just how difficult it has been for both of you."

 

Linda was very tired and nodded her head in agreement. I shook the stranger’s hand and asked where I could take Linda to rest. He politely showed us to a nice comfortable bed, but there was only room for one person to sleep. I immediately asked him where I was going to rest for the night.

 

"Oh, you didn't know?” he politely asked. "Well, this does present a problem. You see, this is the final resting place for those who can't travel any further. No doubt you are tired, but you see, this bed is for Linda. She has traveled many miles through heartaches, setbacks and pain, yet she was determined to make the trip with you. Yes, Richard, you are tired, but don't  you agree that between the two of you, Linda is the most weary and needs this bed more than you?"

 

I now understood where we were. The journey we had been traveling had been very long and now Linda could rest and would be assisted the rest of the way. In the morning, she would be carried comfortably to her final destination.

 

I thanked the stranger as he helped me put Linda gently in the bed. I pulled up a chair next to her and Linda looked into my eyes, held my hand, and thanked me for walking the journey with her.

 

I now realized why it was a house of mourning. It was a place where for one last night, a husband and wife, in our case, could spend the last hours together. As I looked around there were people as far as my eyes could see, young children with parents, grandparents with children and grandchildren. Everyone was quiet.  There must have been thousands of people tearfully saying their last goodbyes.

 

There was something quiet about this place that gave Linda and me a peace of mind we hadn't experienced before. Amazing, the laughter from the building just a few yards from here couldn't be heard.

 

As I looked at Linda's cancer wracked body, I gently held her hand and stroked my fingers through her hair. She had a look of peace that I had never seen before. She realized she was about to finally have the rest she and I both longed for.

 

I assured her that even though we were going our separate ways, we would see each other again. It somehow made leaving her here not so difficult since I knew she was in capable hands.

 

There was a nice breeze blowing inside. Everything was just as it should be. Many tears were flowing in the room, and I realized the people around me had been through difficulties as well.

 

Just then, a kindly woman pulled up a chair and sat next to Linda on the other side of the bed and held her hand. She had a look of serenity about herself and looked like the grandmother everyone wants.

 

As she looked at Linda, she said, "Honey, I know you've been through so much the past 21 months, and I know Richard loves you and that you both knew the road you traveled would be difficult and hard. I have been waiting for you, and I am going to make you as comfortable as possible before your final trip tomorrow. Your real rest is coming shortly, but for now, you will be prepared for something you can't even begin to imagine. I'll tell you more about what is ahead before you leave, but for now, I'll spend a little time with Richard so that he will know we are going to take good care of you."

 

I followed the kindly woman to a small, yet comfortable room; and after the door shut, she sat next to me and held my hand.

 

"Richard," she said. "I know you have cried many tears for Linda. They have been noted by God. You have prayed many times for her and have wondered why God has allowed her to suffer so much. When human, there is so much heartache and pain. Linda and you both know far too well what this is. This is why I am about to tell you it has all been worth it."

 

She looked gently into my eyes and knew exactly what I was thinking. I know what the Bible says is our future, yet I waited for her explanation in order to make my journey home a lot easier.

 

She now reached over and took both of my hands. There was a real comfort in the way she sat next to me. It was as if little had to be said. She had such a soft demeanor about herself. Her hands were very soft and kind while mine were very tired and worn from helping Linda on our trip.

 

"Richard," she said. "Linda will have a good nights sleep. She will be well taken care of. This is what we do for those who have had a very difficult time, and Linda has." She now had a glimmer in both eyes as she was about to tell me of Linda's future.

 

"Linda, in the morning, is going to be taken to a resting place where she will be sleeping for a while. She will have a rest she has never experienced before. It is called death in terms you understand, but really it is only temporary. You see, this is a place to rest your weary bones. Where Linda is going is what you call the grave, but we like to use the term resting place for the weary.

 

"I know you have read many times about the return of Christ. Oh, yes, it is coming. It is as sure as the rising of tomorrow's sun. For Linda, it will be as if she just blinked her eyes. Unfortunately for you, well, you will have to go back and work a bit on some things that aren't quite how God wants them to be. For Linda, she has finished her test. She will be there when the trumpet sounds and the whole world sees Christ set His feet on the Mount of Olives . Linda will be resurrected when it happens, and what you have to do is make sure you are as well."

 

The kindly woman knew her Bible and I found her next statement very revealing.

 

"Isn't it surprising how many people think you go to heaven?" she asked. "I have asked a number of people who walk through these doors, what is it they are going to do? Just stare at Jesus face? Wouldn't you be bored if all you did was play a harp, jump on clouds and stare Jesus in the face all day? No, a new earth is where you will be and everyone in their own order."

 

"Now back to Linda", she said. "You see, because she endured so much, God is going to greatly reward her for what she went through. She displayed a rare quality in a person. She stayed faithful to the end. She stayed the course, yet she underestimated the impact she had on people. This will be rewarded and I promise it. You, yourself, know it is true because you prayed to God about it in Linda's last moments."

 

I sat with tears in my eyes as I realized all of the pain and suffering was worth it. I was privileged to help take care of Linda so that she could arrive at this place.

 

The woman then squeezed my hands a little harder as she described Linda's future. The kindly woman knew these were going to be my final moments with my beautiful wife for a while. She wanted to make sure I would use this time to motivate myself when Linda and I went our separate ways.

 

"Linda will be resurrected with a new body. She will have endless energy and will be invaluable as she helps other people all over the earth and beyond. You can be there with her, Richard, but it is up to you. Just make sure you remember what you both have been through. Don't let her down. What will she think  if you get discouraged and quit? Can you imagine how shocked she will be? A new world is coming with no war, suffering or pain. No more cancer and everything you have been through will be forgotten. Everyone will see this happen. You must go back and stay loyal to God. Don't dishonor her memory or let God down. He invested a lot of time in both you and Linda the past 21 months. Don't let it be for nothing."

 

I could not express my appreciation enough to the kindly woman. Even though I knew a fantastic future was ahead, I realized in a few moments, Linda and I would have to go our separate ways.

 

Our conversation now came to an end. "I realize it will be difficult for you, Richard, but now Linda will be free from pain. She has a well deserved rest coming."

 

As we walked to the door, I thanked her for her kindness and concern. She gave me a warm embrace and said everything would be fine as long as I stayed close to God and lived the way He wanted me to.

 

As I walked over to Linda, I sat down and held her hand. I told her I was going to leave for a little while, but would see her again soon. She said she understood and that she needed to sleep. She knew that in the morning she would be in the grave, yet it would be as if she blinked her eyes when a new and beautiful world of peace is established and will be beyond anything either of us could imagine.

 

I reached down and kissed her on the forehead, lips and cheeks. I realized this would be the last time I would see her for awhile. I will miss her far more than I could ever tell her.

 

As I rose from my chair, I thanked her for being such a wonderful wife and how she was such a beautiful example to everyone. She just didn't realize the impact she had on so many people.

 

Linda once again said she was tired and needed sleep. I softly stated she deserved it because it had been such a long journey, and she could now rest.

 

As I left, I had tears streaming down my face. I missed her already. The pain and longing to be with her was already starting.

 

The kindly stranger met me at the door and put his large hand on my shoulder to reassure me that  everything would be alright. "There is a place waiting for Linda," he said with a gentle voice. "She will only be there temporarily and will be healthy again when you see her in a new world at Christ's return. Just you make sure you don't let her down", he said, as I walked out the door.

 

"Oh, by the way, is there another way back besides going by the house of laughter?" I asked. "Yes" he stated, "Just go directly to the right from here and you will see a road that will take you back home. After all, you, at one time, were a part of the house of laughter; but God has helped you see there are far more important things in life."

 

"Thank you, " I responded as I looked ahead and realized my journey home would be difficult without the flower of my life.