You Have Been Saved

Hello, my name is Ash Harper. I have been battling cancer for 2 years now. But yesterday was the worst day I had ever had. The doctors told me they don’t know if they can do anything more. They told me I only have a week to live. I was shocked and horrified. My family didn’t say anything. They were speechless, I was speechless. My mother was in tears and my dad was holding back tears. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to die, I wanted to live. I was only 17, I was still in high school. I thought I would fight it off, and it would be gone. I was wrong. “Mom, Dad. I love you.” was all I could say. My mother started balling and my dad turned away. 

I had to step out into the hall for a moment. I just couldn’t believe it. I had to talk to my doctor, saying he was wrong, lying, a mistake, a different person. Anything! “Hello there.” a janitor said. “Hello?” I was confused why a janitor was talking to me. “Why are you out of your room, Ash?” he said. “How do you know my name?” I asked, puzzled and a little scared. “I have seen you around and heard people calling your name.” he said with a slight smile. “Oh Ok?” I said a little confused and suspicious. “Do you like stories?” he asked. “Yes, I do.” still confused but happy. “Well you're in for a treat because I am going to tell you a story. There was once a man who built his house on a rock for he is like a man who listens to God but another man built his house on sand for he is like a man who disobeys God. For when the storm hits the house that was built on sand the house will crumble but the house that was built on rock will stand strong. For whoever builds their life upon the Lord will stand strong in the face of danger but anyone who doesn't build your life upon the Lord will crumble in the face of danger. From Matthew 7” he said with eyes staring into mine. “Well that was an amazing story thank you. I really needed that since I won’t be hearing stories for much longer.” I said with a tear rolling down my face. “Always know that God loves you and because of that he has already saved you from death.” he said “What?” I said, confused.

 “Ash what are you doing out of your room?” Doctor Nico asked. “I just stepped out of my room for a minute, then this guy told me a story.” turning towards the janitor. “What guy?” he asked. Then I realized he had vanished. “He was right there. I swear!” I said, puzzled. He was right there. Where had he gone? “Come on Ash, let's get you into your room, you are starting to worry me.” he said looking at me very attentively. “Ok, coming.” I said looking all around for the janitor but he was nowhere to be seen. I was so confused. I headed back to my room. Looking all around but seeing nothing. “How about you lay in your bed, Ash.” he said with a concerned tone in his voice. “She said she was hearing a story from a janitor but the janitor was nowhere to be found. She is worrying me a little bit. So I am going to have her take a little rest, and I think it will be best if we leave her alone. Maybe peace and quiet will be best.” he told my parents. “Yeah, Ok.” my dad said. “Honey, we are going to let you rest and we will be right outside your door. Ok?” my mom said in her normal, peaceful way. With a nice, warm smile. “Ok, that sounds good mom.” I said nodding but drifting away. “Well we will be outside sweetie, goodnight.” my dad said. 

“Goodnight mom and dad.” I said drunkenly waving my hand. Then I shut my eyes and fell into a nice peaceful sleep.

“Darling, can you get up so I can change your sheets.” a lady asked me in a very pleasant, sweet voice. “Uh yeah.” I said barely awake and groggy. I wobbled up and stumbled to a chair. “Darling are you ok?” she asked with a pleasant smile. “Yes, I am just tired, but soon I will never be tired.” I said a little more awake but with sadness in my voice. “Well I am finished here but do you want to hear a story?” she asked in a curious, calm way. “Yeah” I said, my spirits perking up and my body waking up a little more. “Well then he I go. A man ran up to a guy named Jesus and said “Good teacher, how do I get eternal life?” he asked. Jesus replied “Why do you call me good?” He answered. “For no one is good-except for God alone. Do you know the commandments?” Jesus asked. “Yes, I do. I have obeyed them ever since I was a boy.” the man said. Then Jesus replied “Sell all your things and give it to the poor. Once you have done that, come and serve me.” But the man’s face fell and he walked away. Then Jesus said “For anyone who leaves all they have to come and follow me will be rewarded with a hundred more times than the present, you will be given everything you gave up for me plus more in heaven.” he told his disciples. From Mark 10. So did you like the story?” she asked. “Yes, I loved the story because I won’t be hearing many stories for too much longer.” I told her with a grin on my face fading to a frown. “Well just remember God loves you and because of that he already saved you from death.” she said with a stern but sweet face. “Well I have to get to the other rooms. Good bye Ash. she said. “Goodbye and how do you know my name?” I asked. “Well it's on your chart, by your bed.” she said. “Oh well ok, goodbye then.” I said waving my hand goodbye. 

The next thing I knew I was in my hospital bed with a nurse checking my pulse. “Uh Hi.” I said shifting my body. “Well hello there darling. You aren’t doing so well are you sugar." She said in a sweet, southern, accent. “No, no I am not. My doctor told me I only have a couple more days until I die.” I said with my voice cracking and tears rolling down my face. “Oh Honey, you are so strong. If you're up for it I can tell you about a man who was so strong and brave and I know him very well.” she said. “Yes, please.” I said in a quivering voice. “Ok then, here I go. There was this man named Jesus. He never did anything wrong. He was perfect. But people wanted him dead for saying he was the king of the Jews. So they took him to a judge and the people voted for him to be killed. So they put a thorn crown on him and nailed him to a cross. And there he died. But after three days of him being dead. He rose from the dead. For death could not hold its grip on him. For when he died he saved us all. From Matthew 27” she said with so much passion and enthusiasm.“What did he save us from?” I asked. “He saved us from death. For if we chose him we will have eternal life in heaven.” she said with the biggest smile in the world. “Well, I would like eternal life. How do I get it? I asked. “Well honey, you have to ask God into your heart. Otherwise you will not have Jesus and you will not have eternal life in Jesus Christ.” she said. “I want Jesus in my heart. I mean he died for everyone and he performed wonderful things. I want to have eternal life, I want Jesus.” I said with a smile I never knew could be so big. “So pray to him and ask him to forgive your sins and ask him into your heart.” she said with a proud sound in her voice. “Ok. Dear Jesus, please forgive me of my sins and please enter my heart for I want you Jesus.” I said and at that moment I knew I had done the right thing. “Just remember darling, God loves you and because of that he already saved you from death.” she said. “Well I love Jesus, and he loves me and I give up everything I have to be with him.” I said, closing my eyes and leaving a smile on my face. 

And at that moment Ash died but she died in the presence of God. For she gave up all she had to be with God and have eternal life, and know she is with him.