Chapter Nineteen

After Father Engelmann died, his spirit left his earthly body and floated up and over to the far end of the sun room. From that vantage point, he could see everything in the room. Zachariah, his guardian angel, was by his side. Father had communed with him so often and intimately over the years that it was just a matter of seeing and meeting him spiritually to know Zachariah completely.

Zachariah was much like Father had always visualized him to be. His light brown hair was long and he wore a beard of the same colour. Streaks of white hair grew out of the top of his forehead as well as from his beard. It gave Zachariah a wise, timeless look, almost the perfect complement to Father Engelmann’s appearance. He wore an amber-coloured gown with a tan rope that hung from the back of his neck, crossed in front of his chest and tied to a similar cord wrapped around his waist. His shoulders were broad and strong, and growing out of his shoulder blades were two huge white wings.

Zachariah was a good eight to ten feet tall if you measured him to the tips of his wings. His overbearing stature could have been intimidating, if it wasn’t for his clear, friendly eyes and benevolent smile. Overall, his beaming countenance exuded such a gracious kindheartedness that it made Father Engelmann want to fly into his powerful arms.

Zachariah loved his commission to protect, guide, and watch over Father. Of all the 1147 people Zachariah had been assigned to over the years, David Engelmann had to be his favourite. On the whole, Father had been easy to look after. His life was built on the solid rock of the Word that withstood all the tempests and storms of life. He was a good man, a holy man, and the odd time his foundation quivered was when his stubbornness and impatience got the best of him.

Zachariah held a colossal fondness for this reverent man of God and regretted the fact, that as soon as he delivered David Engelmann to the Lord, his mission would be over and he would be reassigned to some other living soul at the moment of their conception.

David and Zachariah were about to talk over occurrences in Father’s past, when they were interrupted by Nurse Dianne Frowler entering the sun room and seeing Father in his chair. It only took her a few moments to realize Father Engelmann was not just asleep, but permanently so.

Father was moved by her grief over his passing and the tender way she kissed his forehead. And what moved Father even more, was how all the residents came and gathered around him and sang and prayed.

Father noted the many healings that had happened that morning and immediately praised the Lord for His kindness. During that morning prayer session, Edith’s abscessed tooth was gone and the blessing didn’t stop until all her teeth were restored. She was shocked when her upper plate fell out as new teeth emerged! The cut to Angie’s finger while preparing breakfast was instantly healed. Margaret no longer needed the hearing aid Father had bought her, and Elmer’s lifetime wish for hair to cover his baldness, now looked like a hippy in desperate need of a haircut.

And to see Johnny run and jump about like a merry child, brought such joy and waves of euphoric exhilaration to Father’s spirit, Zachariah had to place his hands on Father’s shoulders lest he shoot off into the far reaches of heaven. The Holy Spirit was sure a-movin’ in that morning’s prayer session!

Zachariah struggled to control his wings from lifting him off. The sight of seeing Father so elated over his sheep and their blessings moved him more so than the miracles themselves. That is what he so loved about Father, always giving, always wanting the best for others, always happy for them, always… loving.

Until now, Father hadn’t known that angels could cry. His tears of joy were already pooling on his lap and even more elation swept through him as he felt Zachariah’s tears cascade through the fingers of the angel’s hands resting on his shoulders. Father smiled. It was the reason why many times he felt extra gladdened for having done a good deed. His protector was rejoicing with him. Father reached back to his shoulder and put his hand over his guardian angel’s and patted it. The burst of affection they shared brightened the sun room with glorious light, startling the residents below them.

“You have affected and influenced the lives of many, many people, David. The Lord is well pleased with you and what you have accomplished with the talents you were given.”

Father turned and nodded, almost bowing.

As Father saw Angie scoot off to the kitchen to check on the roast for the residents’ dinner, he was surprised that the wonderful smell was not making him hungry. It made him think, “Do angels have regular meals, Zachariah?”

“You’re aware of the expression, ‘you can’t live on love’? Well, that may not be true for people on earth, but it is true for us. When we hear a kind word or see a nice deed, it’s like having a snack. An act of forgiveness or acceptance, well now that’s considered an hors d’oeuvre.” Father chuckled. Zachariah turned to him and continued, “In your case, David, just look at my size! I’m feasting all the time. Since looking after you, my wings have put on over fifty pounds!”

Father laughed and Zachariah joined in.

“Now that my appointment with you is coming to a close, I will quickly shed this excess weight when my new assignment begins.”

Father looked up at Zachariah. “Oh?”

“There’s a learning curve that most people follow. Slowly they quit hitting their head against a brick wall or tire of going in circles and eventually learn to depend on their Lord, to accept, to forgive, to believe… to love.”

“Yes, yes, Zachariah, I have seen much of that and in myself, as well.”

Zachariah chuckled. “Over 1500 years ago I almost shriveled up, I lost so much weight. The Roman soldier I was assigned to at the time engaged in a lot of things that caused me much concern and worry. But as is usually the case, as he neared the end of his time on this earth, he began to change. On the day of his passing, he was so relenting, forgiving, and sorrowful for his deeds and misgivings, I put on over fifty pounds!”

Once again, they shared a huge laugh.

“There was one other time, David, I must share with you.”

Father smiled, his eyes twinkling with delight.

“Just last century, I attended to a man who enjoyed sips of wine in much excess… actually, in considerable excess. Most days I could keep my distance from the intoxicating fragrance of it all, but the poor man needed close guidance and careful watch, requiring that I be near and… good heavens, some days I could not fly straight and nearly broke my left wing!”

Father roared. He had not reveled in such an enjoyable conversation in a long time. He was surely going enjoy heaven.

To his right, just off to Zachariah’s side, Father saw a bright light. At first he thought it was the aura surrounding Zachariah or the late afternoon sun coming through the sun room windows. But the light was much too bright. It was the brightness of at least ten suns put together. Had he not been a spirit now, his earthly eyes would immediately have been blinded. He felt strangely attracted to the light, yet remained stationary. He knew it was his passageway into eternity, yet he remained put.

Even as Zachariah and he were enjoying each other’s company he was wondering why he hadn’t as yet crossed completely over into God’s kingdom. He was honoured that the Lord had taken his life for Jenny’s, but why was he still there? He turned to discuss this with Zachariah, his long dear trusted friend with whom he constantly communed with over the years.

“What is the hold up, Zachariah? Why are we not going to heaven? Have I done something wrong? Is the Lord purging me for some sin I have committed and not confessed?”

“No, no, David, it’s nothing like that. You have been a good and faithful servant.”

“Well, then, tell me what is it? I am so anxious to go to the other side and see my Anna and parents and—”

“Well, the truth of the matter is, you have done too good of a job. Over the years, there have only been a handful of people who have disrupted what was written for the destiny of each and every person who is born. The precise time when he comes into the world and the exact time he leaves has been known for all time and is written in stone.”

“I don’t understand, Zachariah.” Father wrinkled his brow and looked confused and impatient, a lingering bad habit from his earthly days.

“Well, let me finish. David, we are presently in a state of limbo. Where we are now, there is no need for hurry.”

Father smiled shamefaced, not surprised by Zachariah’s quick and keen perception.

“The truth is David,” Zachariah went on, his voice as warm as the sun, “that all the Masses and prayers you said over the years for Henry and Jenny and that prayer session you had in the chapel this morning… well, that was a humdinger; very powerful. All of us were quite moved to say the least. In fact, all of God’s many mansions vibrated with tremors that in earthly terms would have gone off the Richter scale with ease!”

Father laughed, again. “I have to admit, Zachariah, it was a doozy. Those warriors of mine really got into it, didn’t they?” Father beamed.

“Yes, they certainly did, even the Holy Spirit was surprised by the release of His power. The greater the faith and earnestness of the prayer, the greater His Spirit is felt. It is at times like this, David, when heaven and earth begin to touch one another. And I must add, you and your group did touch down, this morning, indeed.”

Father looked deeply into Zachariah’s clear, warm, amber eyes. The depth seemed to go on forever, impossible to read.

“So, what does all this mean, Zachariah?”

“Well, like I said, there have only been a few times throughout history when the pre-destiny of someone is changed. Lazarus is perhaps the one best known. He had passed beyond for four days and the Lord out of compassion for his friend, restored his life. Some say he was in limbo, but we know better. Lazarus had actually crossed the threshold and the Lord changed his destiny! This may very well be one of those times.”

“Are you saying my fate may be changed?”

Zachariah’s hands shuffled first this way and then that way, his wings mimicking every movement. “Well, there is more to it, David. Right now you are in a limbo region where we are still trying to decide what to do with you. Besides the depth and intensity of your prayers and the laying down of your life for Jenny, there also is the fervent depth of the love Henry and Jenny have for one another, their desire to be with one another, to marry one another. Their love is a rare thing and was a match that the heavens played a part in. You’ve heard the expression, ‘theirs was a match made in heaven’?”

Once again Father looked puzzled. He’d always thought that expression was nothing more than fluff.

“Do you remember the day when they first met in your store and they were picking up the salmon tins that Henry knocked over?”

“Yes, yes, I could see it in the boy’s eyes how smitten he was by that pretty young miss.”

“Well, both he and she were more than smitten.” Zachariah reiterated. “When they looked into each other’s eyes it was not just a human attraction going on between them, but a spiritual one, as well. Both their guardian angels were so caught up in that union that a part of their heavenly energy surged along with the gaze Henry and Jenny shared, adding much greater force and impetus to their earthly attraction. Not only were they intoxicated with affection, with friendship and love at first sight, but their hearts were wounded as well.”

“Love at first sight does happen,” concurred Father. “It is difficult to embrace how it works, but how could their hearts be wounded? Does love not cause pleasure and even ecstasy?”

“Yes, it does appear as a contradiction. Humans sometimes describe it as an oxymoron. Something so pleasurable it causes pain. It’s like the love I have witnessed which you have at times for the Lord. Over the years, I marveled how you longed for Jesus so much you ached in pain. While your love grew for the Lord over time, the passionate love between Henry and Jenny was instant.”

Father’s eyes brightened, a sign of comprehension, but his expression still looked perplexed and so Zachariah went on.

“Poets, artists and writers over the ages have tried to explain and portray this phenomenon of love at first sight. William did a fine job in Romeo and Juliet. Ah, that Shakespeare, the Lord blessed him with such a brilliant insight into human nature; wait until you meet him, Father. But I digress, Eros, in Greek myth—or perhaps better yet, Cupid, for example, the God of Love in Roman mythology (often depicted as a cherub with a bow and arrow) metaphorically explains what has happened in Henry and Jenny’s case quite well.

“When those two young people locked into the gaze they shared that first time, imagine Cupid shooting his love tipped arrows along their gaze, right into their eyes and straight through to their hearts, piercing and wounding them. But because of the added impetus of their guardian angels’ heavenly energy, the arrow, so to speak, went beyond their hearts, penetrating their very souls, deepening their love, deepening their wound, uniting them spiritually. Instantly, they were sick in love for each other, yearning one another, not wanting to be apart for a single moment.”

“Yes, it is as you say, Zachariah. They desired to be with one another every moment and on the day they parted, it was as if the world had come to an end. I recall Henry mentioning that he felt as if something were caught in his eyes. Yes, yes, how Henry agonized and pained for her. Not just for a day, a month, but years; until this very day. Normally when things don’t work out in a relationship, it usually passes after a few months and certainly a year or two. Yet, time, distance and all the impediments that life thrust their way, could not squelch that love.”

“That is a fact, David,” concurred Zachariah. “The sorrow and pain Henry felt was the same with Jenny. How their guardian angels wept and reached out to their respective charges. They knew had they not added their spiritual ardor to Henry and Jenny’s captivation at that moment, perhaps their pierced hearts, in time would have healed and as you just noted, they could have went on as most other humans do in similar circumstances. But alas, their wounds never healed.

“For years I witnessed how their protectors worked in earnest to get them back together, to correct what they had caused. But no sooner had their angels opened one door, life with its twists and turns closed it. Just look back at all the events: their final letters with identical pewter angels, saved from fire, retrieved from a steel vault and delivered only to be locked up again in treasure chests—”

“And Henry’s purchase of Jenny’s house. He was so excited, claiming to have found his other self, imagining that the lady he bought the house from was Jenny and then, the discovery of the diary to learn that home was in fact really hers!”

“All these things and even their dreams were prompted by the gentle actions and whispered urgings of their guardian angels,” concluded Zachariah.

Father shook his head lamentably, “Yes, I can see how heaven played its part. It’s rare for a love to be so strong in spite of everything that happened and even their desire to be together and be married is—”

“Well, that’s where we come in, David. Since it was our heavenly involvement that created such a deep and lasting wound of love and yearning, we are looking at some way to make up for it. In fact, their guardian angels feel so responsible and moved by the zeal, lasting commitment and desire that these two have for one another, they have gone back and forth with great solicitude to the throne of God, hoping to procure for their protégés, a special request. Especially since sunrise, today the angels are bearing the prayers of Henry and Jenny to our heavenly Father, imploring Him to hear their petitions.”

Father didn’t know what to say. “Well, it is clear that they are deeply in love and have been so since that moment but, Zachariah, how can they find fulfillment, now? Jenny is gravely ill and about to die, perhaps she has already. And the Bible has taught us that marriage, as we know it, does not exist in heaven. How then can they possibly be united or find any kind of meaningful relationship, now? Surely marriage, which they so much desire, is out of the question?”

“David, you above all people should know that nothing is impossible with God. During your entire life, you have believed in the power and abundance of our heavenly Father.”

“Yes, yes, that is true, so what will happen here?” Father quickly asked, revealing his impatience once again.

“That is what we are waiting for. Soon, two people very dear to your heart will come here. And soon, a decision of what is meant to be, will be issued and carried out. As we speak, David, a very important meeting is going on. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and a whole host of heavenly saints and angels are discussing this matter. Soon, we shall know their answer.”

As Father began to question Zachariah further on what he just said, Henry and Jenny, and their guardian angels appeared on the scene. At first they only saw Father sitting on his chair in the sun room with all the residents standing around singing and praising the Lord.

“Oh, that’s the group that was praying for me this morning!” Jenny exclaimed.

“But, why isn’t Father praying?” Henry asked.

“Look there,” said Jenny pointing to where Father and his guardian angel were floating in the far end of the sun room.

“Over here,” Father said, waving at Henry and Jenny.

“I knew you’d be here. We are coming to get you,” said Jenny.

Father opened his arms as both Henry and Jenny flew into them, their guardian angels stopping just short of being caught in Father’s exuberant embrace as well and getting their wings all tangled.

“What a pleasant surprise to see you both,” Father exclaimed, as he freed Henry and Jenny from his loving hold of them. “I expected Jenny perhaps, but not you, Henry.”

“Yes, for the three of us to meet our Maker on the same day is remarkable. I am still trying to understand it all. The Lord works in mysterious ways, Father.”

“Yes, yes, He most certainly does.”

Henry studied Father’s guardian angel for a moment and then said, “Now, I know what you would look like if you grew a beard, Father. The warmth of your angel’s eyes and benevolent smile is just like yours.”

“Yes, yes, there is a remarkable similarity.”

“It’s one of the hazards of looking after someone that has lived as long as David,” said Zachariah with a chuckle. “You not only pick up their traits, but looks, as well.” He opened his arms towards Henry. “I’m Zachariah. You may call me Zach, if you wish. It’s nice to meet you in spirit. Father thought about you so often it’s as if I know you through and through.”

Henry stood on his tiptoes and still had to reach way up to give and receive a hug from Zachariah.

Jenny greeted Zachariah next and unlike Henry who forgot to use his flying ability, Jenny floated up into Zach’s open arms while Father extended a warm hug to Hannah and Gabriel.

Surrounded by heavenly angels and at last her first love standing next to her, Jenny could no longer contain her bubbling excitement. Her eyes sparkled and flashed as she turned to Father. “Our guardian angels, Gabriel and Hannah brought us here to pick you up. We think that maybe you will be able to marry us before we enter heaven, or perhaps after. A heavenly marriage would be so wonderful.”

Father looked compassionately at Jenny, reluctant to reveal yet another impediment which may keep her and Henry from fulfilling their hearts’ desire.

“I’m sorry to say, Jenny, marriage in heaven does not exist.”

“I tried to tell Jenny that too.” Henry confirmed.

Jenny looked lovingly at Henry and then back at Father. “But maybe, just maybe, a rule can be broken. Henry and I have desired this for so long, that perhaps even the good Lord has to make an exception,”

“Yes, that may be a possibility. Zachariah and I were just talking about that before you came—”

“Ahem,” Zachariah interjected, “It is not yet time to share our conjectures, Father. That is for the Lord to decide.” They all looked at each other, not sure what to say.

Comfort gathered in Father’s eyes as Scripture came to mind. “The Lord does remind us in Isaiah 55:9, ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

“See, there you are, anything is possible with God!” Jenny blurted and then added, “Well, at least we will be together. That’s why I am so glad to have you both here. I wouldn’t want to lose you up there, but I still feel the Lord is going to do something special for us. I say we trust in the Lord and pass through the tunnel and see what God has in store.”

Jenny looked at the angels and then at Henry and Father Engelmann.

“Yes, perhaps the Lord is waiting for us.” Father turned to Zachariah and continued, “What do you say?”

“We are here to follow your will. We shall know soon enough if that is what the Lord wants.” replied Zachariah.

“Good,” said Jenny. Since no-one seemed to have any objection to her plan, she slid between Father and Henry and said, “Quickly, take my hands.”

Father and Henry took Jenny’s hands in theirs and all six spirits— Father, Henry, Jenny and their respective guardian angels— moved forward through the south panel of windows as if they were not there. Just before them was the bright light which Father had noted earlier. It was the tunnel that they would go through to enter eternity. Once through, there would be no coming back.