There Is More To Come

This most global quote must originate from a French Philosopher/Priest, "We are not a body with a soul, but a soul with a body." When we think about this Soldier's life and how she lived it to the fullest, for the time she was on earth, it gives us pause to consider the scope of this statement. "We are not a body with a soul, but a soul with a body."

 Read this this story. There was a grieving soul that lost it's way. As it walked a lonely path it came to a divide in the road, and it didn't know which way to go. Out from behind a tree stood St. Michael the Arc Angel, the Patron of the Airborne, arrayed in his might and splendor. He addressed the soul, "I have a message for you. Follow me."

At first, the soul was scared, but it knew what to do. They walked until they stood before a sign at a great National Park. St. Michael took the soul to the top of a high mountain, overlooking a green valley with a quiet stream that ran through it. The soul said to St. Michael, "This is so beautiful I could stay here all day." St. Michael said, "That is my point: we can never get enough beauty on this side of eternity; whether it comes from nature, relationships, or things. We always want more. Beauty is a sign post revealing our unfulfilled desires. But it also points us to eternity where this longing inside of us finally becomes complete."

It wasn't long after that St. Michael and the soul stood in front of a sign of a great university. St. Michael said, "Here, people are looking for the truth. They discover truth through the sciences, philosophy and theology, and it's reflected in the arts." He goes on, "All truth is God's truth, but not all ways are God's ways. Truth is like a many-sided diamond. You turn it, and get another view of it." He continues, "It is written, 'Right now, it's like we see through a dim glass, but in eternity we will see things as clear as we are standing here face-to-face. Right now, we only know in part. But, in eternity we will have complete understanding." The soul said, "I feel humbled." St. Michael said, "That is the point. Only God knows everything. Truth is a sign post that there is more to come in eternity."

Before they knew it, they were both standing in front of a sign that said, "Ft. Bragg, N.C., Home of the Airborne and Special Operations." St. Michael said, "This is a place where Soldiers train and are deployed around the world to liberate the oppressed and exact justice." The soul asked, "Are they successful at what they do?" St. Michael said, "Yes, they are. But, there is only so much they can do. The job is too great." The soul said, "I can see that justice can't be carried out everywhere in the world." St. Michael said, "Justice that is not carried out in this world, will be carried out completely in the next. Justice is a sign post that there is more to come in eternity."

Next, they found themselves standing in front of a sign that said, "General Hospital." The soul said, "There is a lot of suffering going on in there." St. Michael said, "Yes, there is." "But, unlike beauty, and justice, there will be NO MORE suffering in eternity. All those who know the Way will discover their completeness in eternity. Suffering on earth is a sign post that there will be wholeness someday. There is more to come in eternity."

Finally, they came upon a wooden box with the word, "Life," written on it. The box had an exquisite design. The soul exclaimed, "This looks like a gift!" St. Michael said to the soul, "Open it." The soul opened the box and found a cute fuzzy caterpillar. St. Michael said, "Pick it up." The soul picked it up and cupped it in it's hands. St. Michael said, "You must not hold on to this gift too tightly; you can love it, and care for it, but it's meant for something more." The soul then opened up it's hands and noticed it had been transfigured into the most beautiful butterfly it has ever seen. St. Michael said, "With brave wings she flies." And, with that said, the butterfly lifted off and flew away.

St. Michael said, "Beauty, truth, justice, and suffering are sign posts that point to an eternity beyond what we presently see." The soul said, "These things are difficult to accept, but I think I've found my way, St. Michael. Life is a gift and I need to treat it as such. All that I long for reminds me of the completeness to come in eternity. There is more to come."

Copyright, Paul Lynn, 2012.

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