Do you talk to angels? Do you talk out loud to God? Do you ask for guidance when you need it? Here’s the most important question: do you listen after you ask for guidance? Let me tell you the importance of remembering to say, “and please make it obvious” at the end of your asks. And…ALWAYS give thanks!
My wonderful, kind-hearted, loving father passed away January 2019. As his life was nearing the end, my siblings and I created a schedule whereby one of us stayed all night at my mom and dad’s house to be there for both of them. It was during my first overnight at my parent’s house that it was “just another visit.” What I mean by this is that we were all together and talking, but there was nothing extra special about our time together. I don’t know exactly what I expected or wanted, but I couldn’t help but think to myself that my time with my dad was rather limited, and I wanted to spend it in a very special way. The problem was that I didn’t know what that was exactly.
During my drive to my parents house just a couple of days later to stay the night again, I prayed out loud to God, my angels, divine masters and the universe to help guide and direct me towards what I should do to make my time with my dad as beautiful as possible. I talked out loud for a chunk of my drive, saying that I wanted our time together to be meaningful and loving and as tender as could be. I admitted that I didn’t know what that was but I wanted it to be something that was comforting for dad, would give us even more closeness, and let him know just how much I love him and what he means to me. I made a point to say, “and please make it obvious because I don’t have a lot of time to figure it out looking for subtle signs.”
It just so happened that very night dad wanted to go to bed early. Our family had developed a routine that one of us kids would sleep in bed with dad while mom slept in another room so she could get rest. This was important so she had stamina throughout the day until one of us kids came after work to stay the night. As mom and I were getting dad settled into bed, what do I see on the headboard of their bed? A brand new, unopened Bible! Yes. A brand new, unopened Bible! I closed my eyes briefly and with a grin on my face I said to myself but directed it at God and my angels, “thank you for making it so obvious!” The funny thing was that this Bible had been there all along. I just didn’t see it until I asked for this guidance! After mom and I got dad settled, I told her that I wanted to go to bed early myself.
After I got settled into bed I asked dad if he would like for me to read him the Bible. I will forever hear in my head the tremendous joy and enthusiasm in his response as he said, “Yes!” As I was unwrapping the brand new Bible I asked him if he had a specific area in the Bible he liked or if he wanted me to start at the beginning. He told me that no one had ever read the Old Testament out loud to him so he would like me to start there. I was honored to do this for him. And for me. The beautiful thing about reading the Old Testament is that many of the stories were stories I learned while in Sunday School, so it allowed us to talk about those times. The other part about the Old Testament is that there are deep and intense subjects, but that resulted in us talking about those things and having some great discussions. The first night together I think I read more than we slept. It was such a beautiful time together. I had visions of us reading the entire Bible together before he died. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case.
Every time I spent the night this became the thing that we did together. I know I looked forward to it just as much as he did. It just was not long enough! However, it was the most quality time I could have ever spent with my father in his final days. I will forever be grateful that I learned long ago about praying out loud and fearlessly asking for guidance, including being direct enough to ask for the guidance (signs) to be obvious. And, trust me, have I stated my gratitude for this a million times over!
I know this is a sad story, but I hope you also read and feel the beauty in it too. I share this intimate time in my life because it was a beautiful gift that I received from God, and I feel it is important to pass along. I honestly don’t think I would have thought to do this with and for my dad had I not asked for this guidance. If this is not a practice that you currently do, I highly encourage it. We all need guidance, so don’t be afraid to ask for it. It is powerful. It works.
With love and gratitude,
Connie Jo Holmes
