The darkness closes in and suffocates me
I am surrounded with nowhere to go
I hold my body together because if I don't, evil will tear me apart
I search and search but cannot find a glimmer of hope anywhere
I feel lost, tormented, confused, scared...
As I lay on the cold ground, holding my body together, I hear something

"My child," the voice says

I gasp for air as emotions consume me
I hear sweet, pure laughter
It resonates through my body like a drum
I am overwhelmed with the sense of pure joy and unconditional love
I look up and I see a figure surrounded by pure white light
I see an outstretched hand
I look at the palm and see where the rough skin has been pierced
In this moment, I realize who this man is

He is Jesus Christ, my personal Lord and Savior

My heavenly Father has sent his Son to rescue me in my time of need
I grasp for Christ's hand like a beggar desperately grasps at money caught in the wind
I look up into the face of the Son
As he smiles, I see wisdom, love, laughter, sorrow, and pain all etched in his glorious face
My insides feel like they might burst
He takes my frail body in his strong arms and I know he will never let me go
I close my eyes and rest my head on his chest, feeling like a small child
The last thing I feel before I fall asleep in the Son of God's embrace is the love of the Father

Pure, unconditional, everlasting love.