Hereafter

Hereafter: Part II Graduation Day, Chapter 27

27

ELIZABETH FELL INTO a deep sleep. Holding her, rocking her like a child being comforted in a mother’s arms, I began to imagine what it would take to continue the struggle, but a confrontation based on nonviolence. Words . . . sacred words, words so powerful that they could bring the Citadel to its knees, not to surrender to a militarily superior force, but to pray, to worship, to submit to the Principle of Love and the Higher Power that made Love possible.

To practice Love is to honor the dignity of all people, to recognize that we are all connected, and that when one of us is oppressed, we are all oppressed. I was beginning to believe in the deeper Truth of what Gloriana was trying to tell me. It just might work, but what words would have that kind of power and how would I ever be able to deliver them to everyone? I looked down at Elizabeth sleeping so soundly and soon slipped back to sleep myself. It wasn’t long before I was dreaming again.

“Madison . . . I’m so proud of you, or don’t you even realize what you’ve done?” Gloriana questioned with a sassy grin on her angelic face.

“Oh yah, well I’m glad you’re pleased with me, but I have no idea why?” I replied, more than a little amazed at how one minute a person can be dead tired, fall asleep, but in a dream be alert and chipper.

“Elizabeth . . . you told her that a little faith would save the day! And Madison, you were right. Your faith is the reason I was allowed to return to assist you. The words I have been authorized to give you now will be empowered by almighty God to stir deep in the souls of anyone who reads or hears them. All you have to do is put them out there in your world in any way you can think of, then, sit back and watch the miracle unfold. Of course, there is Free Will and some will always turn their backs on God’s promises. That aside for the moment, the words you’re about to see will be burned into your conscious memory, so don’t worry about remembering them. When the transmission is over, I’ll be gone, but know that I’ll always been near. Peace be with you my dear.”

SOON THE SCENE IN MY DREAM changed. Gloriana had disappeared. I was now walking by the water along a beach on a pristine, deserted tropical island. I sat down to let the warm winds caress my face as I looked out over the white-capped waves rolling gently into the shore. The deep-blue sky began to be outlined by fluffy thick cotton-ball clouds as if framing a theater screen. I paused to thank Gloriana and the Higher Power who sent her for the Gift that I now faithfully believed was coming as promised. Prayer finished, I opened my eyes to see the sacred words forming as if by a skywriter.

No One is Free Unless All are Free

If One Suffers, All Suffer

All are Born Equal

Know Love and Survive Death

Love All and Live On in Heaven

One letter, one word, one mighty phrase at a time slowly formed on the cinemascope display projecting in my mind. Like the tablets given to Moses, the Commandments etched in stone by the finger of God, these words, these spiritual weapons were forged for overthrowing the self-serving evil residing in the hearts of those who would enslave and subjugate others, were forever burned on the template of my mind.

The promised Gift was given and received—now, how would I make sure everyone living in Calidari, but especially those residents of the Citadel, would see these all-important words. I couldn’t fathom how merely seeing the words could transform someone, but I had enough faith to believe with confidence that a miracle could and would take place over time. Soon after the last word formed, the curtain came down on the God-Channel telecast showing in my mind.

The important words locked securely in the vault of my memory, I slowly woke up and couldn’t wait to tell Elizabeth what had happened. She was still sleeping so I sat down next to her and gently began stroking her hair and rubbing her shoulder.