I am what I see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. I process these experiences attach emotions to them and store them in my memory. I can recall events or people from a certain scent or song. I can touch something and feel its warmth or coolness, whether it’s smooth or rough. I can smell bread baking and I instantly know what scent it is and start to crave some to eat. I recall memories or meet people and stir-up feelings and emotions. This is how I live and act out my life. I am normal. And if I want to experience something great that someone else has experienced, it’s pretty straight-forward. I do the exact same things the other person has done to create that outcome.

I’ve said countless times, “I understand”, “I can relate”, or “I don’t know how you do it”, or “that was awesome!” And I believe that if I did the same things, practiced or studied as hard, ate – what-ever the situation was; you and I can have a conversation about it, and relate to it. So how can I share a life experience with you that is so far from normal that I know you could not possibly relate? That the words don’t exist to describe how or what I experienced? Or even worse, you think you understand — because of your life experiences, or what you’ve read; and you try to explain, change or devalue what I’ve experienced? I understand you don’t know what you don’t know, however what I am about to tell you is truth. It happened to me, and it’s not up to me to convince or sell you on my experience, or have you accept it as truth. I only need to share it with you. This revelation has taken me 20 years to accept. My focus cannot be if you believe it or not, I care; but I can’t change your life or what you feel or think.

It was a typical Saturday in Calgary being a young, busy working mom. I was driving our two kids and niece back from renting a video. Yes, these were the days before digital – the era of VCR’s and giant video rental stores. Before cell phones with cameras, and air bags — at least in our Mazda 626 that we had bought new a few years earlier. In the back seat passenger side, was our 2 1/2 year old daughter buckled and bolstered down in her car seat, and on the driver’s side was our 5 1/2 year old son, buckled in with a shoulder strap and lap belt – on top of his booster seat. In the front passenger seat was our 7 year old niece buckled up with a shoulder strap.

The afternoon was warm and mild, and it was very close 4:00 pm. Traffic wasn’t heavy, roads were bare and dry and it would be less than a 5 minute drive to home. I exited the parking lot heading north, pulled onto Nose Hill Drive and proceeded to the left turning lane at the traffic lights at the intersection into our neighbourhood. The front of my car faced north. The light was red; so we sat waiting for our left turning arrow. I looked across the intersection and could see two lanes of cars pointing south, facing me stopped at the red light. The curb lane was vacant. The left turning arrow flashed green and I accelerated into my turn — then the arrow shut off. The time was just seconds, a few flashes of the arrow – then nothing but a solid green. I saw an oncoming car– directly in our path – a car that had been travelling straight through on Nose Hill Drive in the open lane.

I became aware something was upon me and through me. It was not something that gradually got more intense — it was just present. It was heavy like a cloak; and inescapable. It flowed through me and in me and flooded every cell, everything living and breathing within me; and I existed with it. I was made complete, although I never felt I was incomplete. It were as if all my life I was missing a huge piece, and I was now whole. It was completely natural and nature and dense. A denseness that filled me with love, peace, joy and focus. Incredible love, incredible peace and joy – on a scale of inconceivable. Time split into long segments — slowed down so I could see the car approaching in slow motion – frame by frame. Our niece leaned forward in the seat, turned to me and cried “We’re going to be hit!” I moved my right arm across her chest, nudging her backwards into the front seat; and said “Everything’s going to be OK”. I had already been assured. Peace, joy and control flowed through me. I knew what I had to do; no words had been spoken, but knowledge existed in me. I knew where and when the car would be hit; and I knew what I had to do. I prepared, gripping onto the steering wheel. I knew it would take every ounce of strength and determination to not relax my grip and control of the steering wheel. I knew I had to continue to hold on, with all my strength and steer the car to the south; to the curb lane — essentially to make a U-turn. My car was pointing west half way through the turn, and then it happened. The oncoming car delivered a crushing forceful blow to the engine compartment on the passenger side. The force was massive and relentless against my strength and my will. Every muscle prepared in my arms, hands and fingers, absolutely vice-gripped, not surrendering to give way. I clenched on to the wheel, steering the wreckage turning it south; and coming to rest at the curb. I basked in this beautiful, most joyful love experience. It was perfect love and I felt complete and joyful and whole in it and wanted to exist in it forever.

My driver’s door was ripped open in panic by a responder; the cloak vanished; real time returned. Chaos surrounded us. Crying children, still buckled in their seats. Broken glass, twisted metal, the smell of steaming hot fluids, cars stopped and parked – having witnessed this incredible wreck. The responder was one of the vehicles that faced me at the traffic light. He checked to make sure we were all OK, and asked why I turned. I told him I had a green arrow, it turned on and then it turned off part way into my turn. I asked him, why then did he not go through if he had a green light; and he said, because you were turning. When the police officer came to my door his cruiser was parked away from the scene; he told me I would have to walk to his car. I had to leave the kids in the car with the responder to fill out the accident report. My husband had been contacted and would be there shortly. I walked with the officer and the driver of the vehicle we had crashed into. A young lady in her early 20’s; very upset, shaken and angry. We walked past the parked cars lining both sides the boulevard. They all witnessed the accident. I was embarrassed about what happened. I knew the green arrow had turned on; and then off. I was also reeling inside, wondering — what was that? That was so beautiful, I was still elated, giddy with joy – I could hardly focus on anything except this supernatural wonder. I saw my husband walking on the other side of the boulevard heading toward the car. He was crying. The car was totalled, engine buckled and twisted, and the very front sheared off. It appeared as if no one could have survived.

That night, when I was getting the kids pyjamas on, I saw tiny red, hair-like lacerations on our daughter’s chest from her seatbelt. Our son had a burn on his forehead about the side of a quarter, a reminder of where he had come in contact with the back of the driver’s seat. Our car was totalled, and that was the extent of our injuries. A few days later, our neighbour noticed our car had been missing. He asked where it was, and I told him. He exclaimed “I saw that! That was YOU? I thought everyone was dead!”

I knew my encounter that day was spiritual, but why? I started on a quest to find out, my soul longing to get reconnected while my emotions, memory and desire was fresh. I went to our local Catholic church, but could not make the connection. A few weeks later I ran into our neighbor at the Co-Op grocery store and asked her if she knew of another church. She suggested the Alliance church that was meeting in a liquor store on Sunday. The next Sunday I took our kids there and experienced worship and teaching that spoke to every-day living.  It was after that, I discovered it was the Holy Spirit that came upon me that day, after I read “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)  Deep within my heart I connected with that verse, having experienced each and every one of those attributes — at one time; all together yet individually. Incredible – I know I was in the presence of the Holy Spirit. But why me? What did I do to experience this?

I’ll never know why until I enter eternity, but I do believe I need to share my encounter with you. I believe that you should know that the Holy Spirit is living here on Earth. That there could be nothing more beautiful then being in the presence of the Holy Spirit. I felt fulfilled with love, joyful and complete; as if I was made whole by existing in it.

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)

Seek out God for yourself and your personal relationship. Seek Him, not with your brain and your thoughts, but cry out to him with your heart – your spirit. You are His idea, His created spirit and child. He loves you, and longs to hear your call. For you, God lives through his Holy Spirit and Jesus here on earth.

Find some special, quiet space and breathe in His creation, be still and seek Him with your heart. Center God in the core of your being, and allow Him to pour out His endless love into you.

12 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 12-13 (ESV)

Don’t let your thoughts go down the road of a religious trap; or the mockery of religion, because these aren’t God-things — these are crimes and actions carried out by man. Corrupt, religious leaders plotted and killed Jesus. Jesus exposed their festering motives, their positions and therefore wealth were threatened. They wanted Him and His movement silenced. Having said that, there are Christ-centered churches, with corporate worship and praise; as well as preachers/teachers called by God, that will support, inspire and encourage your journey. But it’s you, it’s personal, that our loving father wants to reunite with; not an organization.

15-20 “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. Matthew 7:15-20 (MSG)

I am considered a petite woman, 5″ 1 3/4″ and at the time of the encounter, was a serious runner and weighed-in around 102 pounds. A few years ago, I became curious to calculate the force in which the two vehicles met, and with which I had to control the impact to steer the car. I found a crash impact calculator online; and estimated the oncoming vehicle was travelling about 60 kilometers per hour, and it was an older Plymouth Reliant; weighing at 2600 pounds. The impact driving us 4 feet off course (I don’t actually know how far south we were forced if any, as I was steering west, then south. That calculated to being hit with a force of around 22 tons, controlling the vehicle and steering it to the curb – simply miraculous.

I experienced Christ’s spiritual “Living Water”; dense, flowing through me with perfect love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, patience, self-control. I confidently declare Christ IS the Savior, Redeemer, Lamb of God. Through Him we are forgiven of our sin and reunited for eternity in God’s kingdom. I also declare the Holy Spirit is alive on earth, and available through Christ Jesus.

Death comes to everyone including you. I invite you to find stillness, dig deep within your heart, your soul, your spirit. Sincerely ask God, Jesus, to show you, reveal Himself to you. God Bless your journey, and may you overflow with love, gratitude and JOY!

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

15 “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink and enjoy life. 7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! 8 Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne!” Ecclesiastes 8:15; 9:7-8 (NLT)

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:23-27

Amen