I have had an experience that I carry with me everyday but cannot fully comprehend that something so beautiful could happen to me! About 2 years ago, 10 months after my father died I had a very strong dream that my father, on his journey to the other side was in a coffin in a High Church with seven monks praying for his soul. It was an exceptionally clear and very unusual dream and one that left a strong impression on my mind.
Several weeks later, I decided to go on a retreat to a monastery for three day's! This was a strange thing to do as I know no-one who has done such a thing and until the dream I had no idea about monks or their life, all I knew for certain was I had to go, upon reflection it was like I was being driven to go there. I started feeling that God was calling me and couldn't wait to feel close to God and talk to him in private and to pray for my beloved father on his journey to the other side. My friends and family were concerned for me as they thought it was a very unusual thing for me to do and in fairness to them it was,
I loved being on the retreat and felt uplifted, it felt that my soul ran before me in freedom each day, I felt I wanted to dance and laugh with happiness at being so near to God. The day to day running of the monastery was very disciplined and everyone could only speak one hour per day, I found this enforced solitude a comfort and I felt humbled.
On the last day, I was attending another service and the Abbot ran the church bell (as he did at the start of each service) and as I stood I was aware and sensed very strongly that something seemed to come into the church to join us, easiest way to describe it was something like a breeze, gentle but strong wind, a definite presence. It seemed to come from out of nowhere and circled somewhat around the altar. I was keenly aware of it but thought I was imagining thing's.
Then about ten minutes into the service as I was standing praying with my eyes closed, totally relaxed and feeling at peace, a very strange thing happened. In my minds eye, at a distance I could see a dot of a white light, the light grew as it moved very quickly towards me, then BOOM, I saw the face of Jesus Christ as if on imprinted on stained glass, clear as crystal right in front of me. I stared into it just long enough to confirm what I was seeing and then opened my eyes in shock as quickly as I could. But if I said to you, I saw it through my heart centre would you understand what I mean, it came from my heart although I saw it with my eyes.
I was too scared to tell any of the monks what I had seen and sensed, in case they thought I was a lunatic, or it was my imagination plus I felt how could I, a sinner tell such Holy men that I am there for a matter of days and see something like that when they have dedicated their lives to Christ.
I appreciate that it probably sounds like I have a fanciful imagination or grief distorted my view but I can assure you before God that I saw this. Neither the Church or any part of the Abbey has stained glass nor was I reading anything of the like or seeing pictures to leave an impression like that on my mind
I wonder was God responding to my prayers letting me know that he heard me. I am ashamed to say I am not a regular Church goer but do believe in him with all my heart, so why would I a sinner be blessed in this way?
Having researched this, I now know the Holy Spirit is known as wind, breeze and that it talks in the Bible about the eyes of the soul and this I now also know was the Holy Spirit responding to my most ardent prayers and a vision. It is certainly something I shall carry with me for the remainder of my life as it was such a deeply personal experience.
So please, if anyone doubts the existence of Jesus Christ, I beg you, reconsider
Kind regards and thank you for your time.
Patricia Nichols
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