Written by: Barbara Ann Hall

I recall the moment God called me to do His work, to become His hands upon the earth, to fulfill His will, and to tell of our journeys together. I am still uncertain of exactly what happened, but from that moment on I was sure of my life’s purpose. I call it the day God woke me up. God really does work in mysterious ways!

It was a cool day in early fall. I was traveling north to visit my mother. After driving for many hours my surroundings started to become familiar. I was almost home!

As I drove down the long county road towards town, the trees along the sides of the road seemed to blur together. I thought perhaps I was getting tired, so I decided to pull off the road for a while. I opened a window, put my head back and closed my eyes.

Suddenly, I was standing alone high on a hilltop, my soul absorbing the unimaginable beauty that surrounded me. My hair blew gently against my cheeks as a cool breeze embraced me like gentle arms comforting me. The air was filled with a sweet scent of nothing familiar. It was peaceful and quiet, and although I was alone I could sense that abundant life surrounded me.

“Where was I? How did I get here?” My head was full of questions, but oddly my heart was not troubled. I thought of my mother. “How long have I been standing here? Was she looking for me?” I began to wander about, searching for someone who could help me find the answers. Perhaps even help me find my way home. “Home? Where was home? Why could I not remember?”

Amongst the trees I noticed a dirt road and something in my spirit told me to follow it. As I began to walk along the road, the questions that filled my mind started to become self-directed. Things I haven’t thought about in years flooded my memory.

Feeling a little confused; I paused for a moment, noticing a patch of little pink wild flowers off the road towards my right. Without thinking, I ran towards the flowers and fell down upon my knees. Instantly, childhood memories filled my mind. I even felt childish as if reliving the years of each significant and insignificant event.

The flowers slowly turned to scarlet, as I grew slightly older. I was not allowed to relive this time, but I visually watched someone I didn’t even recognize as myself. I was ashamed and heartily sorry. Then a question filled my heart; did I believe that such worldly ways would bring me happiness? My sense was yes, I did believe that. Then the question was presented differently, do I now believe that such worldly ways could bring anyone happiness?  No, there was no longer anything in me that believed that. I wept.

As the gentle breeze dried my tears, I stood and headed back toward the road. I once again thought of my mother. Surely it was getting late; she was probably worried. Hopefully there was a town nearby and someone willing to help me contact her.

I came to a fork in the road. “Which way should I go? Perhaps I started out the wrong way?” I wondered if I should turn around and go back. As I stood pondering my future direction my heart told me there was no need for me to go back, my past was behind me and the only way for me to go was forward. I felt encouraged to go right. As I stepped onto the right road, darkness fell upon the road on the left. I quickly turned and looked back, and just as I feared, darkness had also covered the road behind me. But the road in front of me was bright and cheery.

I must have been walking for hours, although I was not tired or weary, nor was I hungry. I was still enjoying the peace and beauty that surrounded me in this foreign place.

Fluffy white clouds began to appear against the clear blue sky. I felt urged to watch them. I stepped off the road to lie on a bed of soft green grass that overlooked a riverbank. The clouds seemed to come alive. I envisioned animal faces, people and places. As one rolled out, another rolled in. I began to see different scenes form, as if watching in actuality. I was intrigued. I soon realized that the scenes were of my own life, each from significant times in my life that brought about inner change. Then the scenes became vague, as if not yet written.

I became sleepy as I lay watching the clouds roll by. The sun began to set. For the first time, I heard the tranquil sound of the river. When I turned and looked toward the water, I saw a man standing in the distance. He walked slowly along the water’s edge and appeared to be looking for something. Just as I was ready to call out to him, he lifted his head and looked at me. I felt such a peace fall upon me and I slept.

I was awakened by what sounded like hundreds of singing angels. Oh how beautifully they sang in joyous harmony! I felt renewed, knowing now what my purpose in life was. I quickly arose and hurried down the road towards home. I had so many things yet to accomplish; to fulfill all the will of God yet unspoken; to complete the scenes of my life!

What will I tell my mother when she asks where I’ve been? Could she possibly believe me? Was I myself even certain? Perhaps I’ll just tell her that I was somewhere beyond the treetops.