NDEs and God

1. A young mother who was essentially a ‘Dead Woman Walking’ with a large inoperable blood clot in her brain.

I was given a 10% chance of survival, but in a permanent vegetative state, 0% chance of having any meaningful function even if I survived. My neurosurgeon said I was a miracle. He had no idea why I was still alive - sitting up and visiting with friends in the ICU. The doctor told me that everyone who looked at my head scan agreed that I was already dead! He had told me that anything he did to me could kill me. The blood clot would either dissolve on its own or I would die. So… they would just wait to see what happened. He insisted God Loved me more than other people because it was medically impossible for me to still be alive!

So, I went home to wait and to vigorously pray.

One day, I was sitting on my bed praying and I said to God, ‘God, I know you don’t Love me more than other people as a Father could never choose.’

The next thing I know I am sitting outside on a concrete bench! (her extraordinary NDE had just begun). I can see the blue sky, the grass, and the texture of the concrete. I am confused, because I was just at my house praying, and now I am sitting outside and in no pain.

Then I heard a voice say, ‘You are right. I don’t Love you more than other people. I just answered the prayers that came from you because when you are well, you help me take care of people.’ (She is a natural advocate and always has been even during childhood – supporting those who need it in whatever difficulties they are in).

God reminded me that when I was a child, I had prayed for one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He said that He didn’t give me the gift I requested. My gift (instead) is making people feel safe. It’s why I stand up for people all the time.

God said I would be going back (to Earth). We discussed future events, when I would be needed to help others.

After we talked, God told me it was time for me to go back. I don’t know if I had a choice or not. I didn’t want to go back, but I knew my kids would miss me.

Then I was back.

(Her blood clot dissolved, leaving no long-term damage. She tells us, “My doctor called me his miracle patient”).

What emotions did you feel during the experience? I felt great Love and acceptance.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about myself or others? I understood my actions better. Being an outspoken advocate for others, I understood God’s perfect Love for me. (God being an advocate too!)

During your experience, did you gain information about universal connection or oneness? Uncertain. I felt the presence of God. Felt his total Love for me.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? A feeling of great Love from God. Knowing He watches over me in all I do. I love being able to spread His Love to others.

During your experience, did you gain information about the existence of God? Yes, I felt His Love. He knew all about my life. Told me what my gifts were. 

What life changes occurred in your life after your experience? Moderate changes in my life and I am kinder. I try to fulfill God’s expectations of me.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Entirely pleasant.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? It felt like a normal day; except I was sitting next to God!

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. My vision was fine. I didn’t have my glasses on but still saw everything clearly.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Yes, and the facts have been checked out. (This is a common response - God can let us see concurrent events happening on Earth and even events to come – similar to how biblical prophecy works. Can we understand His level of planning and control of events on Earth? Of course we cannot.)

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Some unfamiliar and strange place. I was sitting outside on a concrete bench. I was no longer in any pain. I could feel the sun, see the blue sky and the green grass.

(We must be careful not to limit our expectations of how God is going to arrange our own afterlives – the usual NDE proceeds to Paradise, and this experience sounds like it was in the pretty gardens of Paradise, but there are exceptions depending on what our loving God has determined is best for us as individuals!)

What emotions did you feel during the experience? I felt great Love and acceptance.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace and pleasantness.

Did you have a feeling of joy? Incredible joy.

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the Universe? I felt united or one with the world. (Her answer is astute. Please beware of talking about “the Universe” as though it had a mind of its own as this question could be suggesting – it doesn’t! God is the planner and creator of the Universe and He made us in His image for some very deep purposes that are revealed to us progressively).

Did you have any knowledge of near-death experiences (NDEs) prior to your experience? No.

Did scenes from your past come back to you? I remembered many past events. We discussed my gifts and situations where I stood up for people. (This is termed a Life Review process and is described in the next chapter. During it, God even took her back to her childhood and the prayers she had prayed. Amazing isn’t it, that He still has access to such personal details about us?)

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from my personal future.

It was confusing for me for some time afterward - things would happen and I would know about them already.

God told me I was going back while we were talking, then He told me it was time to go back. I remember thinking ‘I am not sure if I want to go back, but my kids will miss me’. Then I was back.