Prayers and dreams

I struggle with questions about what happens in the afterlife. I am a born again Christian, yet I have not been baptized. So what exactly does that mean for me? I believe in God, I believe whole heartedly that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, yet I haven’t taken the “plunge” into baptism. I struggled with this most after I lost my dad. I didn’t know, without a doubt, where he went, until he came to me in a dream.

My dad went to church. Shortly before he passed, he even became an usher. He believed in God, as far as I know but I don’t know that he ever took the “plunge” either or if he truly had a relationship with God and believed that Jesus died on the cross. I was told that he undoubtedly went to heaven. But I just never felt a sense of calm about it in my soul. I couldn’t feel at peace because I just didn’t know if he had made it to heaven. So I was told to pray about it.

One night before bed, I lit some candles and opened up my bible (which is what I do when I really need that connection) and I prayed. I asked God to give me some type of sign, some form of an answer as to whether or not my dad was spending
eternity with Him. I cried and I prayed. I was desperate to know that he was ok and that he was in paradise. Then I fell asleep.

I’m reliving that awful day. It’s May 17, 2001 and I have just received the phone call at work that my dad had a heart attack and I need to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Everything was the same. My husband picked me up, we argued
on the way (he felt as if I was over reacting), and we finally made it to the hospital. I ran through the doors of the emergency room and was frantic. “DAD! DAD!! Where are you?”

Finally a nurse spotted me and asked if I needed help. “My dad, Adrian. He had a heart attack. I need to see him”. She grabbed my hand, only this time, she didn’t tell me that he had passed away. In my dream, she led me to his room. In my dream, he was still alive. He held on and waited for me.

I slowly walked up to him, noticing the change in his skin tone. I started to cry. He looked at me and said “Don’t worry babe. Don’t worry about me. It’s beautiful where I’m at”. I squeezed his hand, and then I woke up. And that was all I needed. I felt pure joy. I knew that my dad was ok. My dad really did make it to heaven and I no longer had to worry about him. Once again, God gave me exactly what I needed. From that night on, I felt a calmness that I hadn’t felt since before my dad died. I no longer felt so troubled, as if I was battling with myself. The answer came to me in the most beautiful form. I was able to see him once again and hear his voice. He was at peace.

I am hoping to get me and my children baptized so that no one is ever left wondering about us. And so that I know, without a doubt, where we are all going. I’m not sure if I believe that baptism is the key. I do believe that my salvation was given to me the day that I accepted Jesus as my Savior. But I’m not taking any chances and if there’s anything I can do that would be pleasing to my Savior, it would be a blessing to me. And I’m determined to see my dad again, not just in a dream.