Daily Devotion Monday September 13

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path".  This song has been on my mind for days.  Its caused me to think about and remember a lot of people and incidents in my life that have had an impact on my me.  Sometimes just sitting quietly and " pondering " over them helps me through the day.  I used to spend a lot of time with my Aunt Virginia  and her husband, Uncle Floyd.  They were farmers and childless.  They lived in Greenville Pa.  My Aunt Gin had a devoted following of friends from her Lutheran church.  One of them was a man whom she shared adult Sunday School teaching responsibilities with and had done for more than 50 years.  We would spend time with them sometimes away from church and my aunt asked him to share with me something that happened in his life.  He had a terrible heart attack and was rushed to emergency.  They worked on him for a long time but had lost him on the table.  One of the doctors watched him intently because something amazing happened before his eyes.  Mr Kaufman (sorry, I forgot to give you his name before), told me what happened to himself as he lay there in that cold room with all the lights and the doctors gathered around him.  He said he remembers looking down on himself on that table and seeing everything I just described to you.  But then he beheld a different kind of light. It was brighter than the ones in the surgery room and there were voices calling him.  So he followed the voices into the light.  He saw people whom he loved deeply there but he saw one very special person.  No, it wasn't Jesus as you might expect. But it was Peter that met him.  He told me that Peter revealed a lot of things to him that Mr. Kaufman had been struggling with all his life.  He said that it seemed like they talked for a very long time but then Peter told Mr Kaufman that he had to go back because it wasn't his time yet to be there. 

Meanwhile, back at surgery, the doctor was watching Mr. Kaufman.  He watched as he saw his spirit leave his body and then return.  I don't remember the number of minutes that passed but I do remember that it was quite a while and they were just setting down on paper his time of death but thank God they had to erase that time.  When Mr. Kaufman finally came to and was responsive, the doctor told him he watched him leave his body and he asked him where he went.  Of course Mr. Kaufman told him what I have told you.  Think of the impact that had on that doctors life.  Mr. Kaufman was approached by a book company who had heard about the experience and was publishing a collection of these experiences of several others.  My aunt had that book and I have read it. 
That conversation has been with me a lot of years.  It has been a part of the lamp that has shown me the way through life. Mr. Kaufman was an ordinary farmer just like my aunt and uncle.  My aunt has revealed to me many things in her life that I've been the lamp for her.  Sometimes you just have to take time to stop and listen. 
I'd like to share with you that song...
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, still you're there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear as long as you are near.
Please be near me til the end.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I will not forget Your love for me and yet my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus be my guide, and hold me to your side, I will love you to the end.
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalms 119:105-112
If you want to sing along , you will find this song on You-tube done by Amy Grant  at Amy Grant Official... Amy Grant Thy Word
May you find the Peace of Gods love within today and every day.

​Joyce Miller