By the Grace of God: Chapter 1

The man in the light has something to say

Thursdays were always busy days for us, filled with activities for the kids, Geordie, and myself. With little time for me to breathe those days, I looked forward to the kids’ bedtimes and my downtime afterward. Every week, I awaited the time I could kick back and relax for a while. Tonight was no exception.

As a spiritual medium, I hosted a spiritual development circle every Thursday night. A group of us met for meditation, to share messages and strengthen our connections with spirit. An unexpected visitor named Roy joined me during my meditation tonight and I couldn’t get him out of my mind. His job was to guide me on the new spiritual path that spirit laid before me and the prospect of new adventures excited me. Roy’s presence heralded life changes for me. I needed to figure out how extensive they might be.

As Geordie and I enjoyed a movie, long after circle broke for the week, a strange green light shimmered in front of the window to my right. Shuttered windows glowed green as they appeared to sit on the window seat. The light shifted, taking the form of a young man in uniform, before becoming a shapeless mass once more.

I guess you want to tell me your stories, too, do you? Did Roy send you?

My thoughts, as silent as they were to those around me, were as loud as church bells to those in spirit. It still amazed me when a spirit read my thoughts, allowing me to talk to the dead while sitting in a room full of people.

The light shimmered when I spoke, burned brighter for a moment, then faded away.

My curiosity aroused, I asked who my visitor was and if I should expect them to return later or not.

I only ask for undisturbed sleep tonight. With no reply, I shrugged and resumed watching the thriller on the television. Oh well, I guess it will be what it will be.

A Dodge Charger squealed around a corner in the movie and the volume spiked. At that moment, a violent flash of green light lit up the kitchen. I jumped. Geordie fumbled the remote as he tried to pause the movie, dropping it on the floor. Bogey, our three-year-old Doberman Pinscher, got up and sniffed it when it landed in front of him. Head tilted, he gave us a quizzical look, as if he were asking ‘You guys okay?’ He got back up on his chair, shook his head at us, and fell asleep once more. I couldn’t stop myself from bursting into laughter. Geordie shook his head in confusion.

“What the hell was that?”

“Oh babe, I don’t know. Tryouts for the Three Stooges, maybe?”

We settled ourselves in front of the television and started the movie again. I looked into the kitchen, sensing we weren’t alone.

There were eyes on me, observing me as I watched the green light, which shimmered and transformed into a glowing green mist that hung in one corner of the kitchen. The mist exuded an anxious air, apprehensive about exposing itself to me but intrigued by our dialogue. After spending years around the living, unseen, it surprised this spirit to find me interacting with them.

This is turning into an interesting night.

The green mist floated around the kitchen, more subdued and controlled as it stopped to stand beside the table. I could see a hand reaching out from within it, trying to touch objects on the counter and table. There was a curiosity and wonder to it as if the spirit within couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

The mist glided through the kitchen and into the family room, coming to hover at the corner of the television. The hazy form of a young man fading in and out of focus within it.

Sorry. I shrugged my shoulders at the twinkling glow. I can’t help you unless you show me who you are and tell me what you need, otherwise, I am just going back to my movie.

Turning back to the latest installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, I caught Geordie staring at me open-mouthed.

“Sare? You see that, too, don’t you?” I realized what Geordie was referencing, but was trying to figure it out myself. He was having trouble with my silence. “Sarah? Please tell me I am not the only one who sees that glowing green blob by the tv. Please?”

Saw it, tracked it across two different rooms, and even glimpsed who it was. But I didn’t intend to tell Geordie any of that. I wanted to have fun first.

I fixed what I hoped was a quizzical expression on my face as I turned to Geordie and answered him.

“Um, have I seen a what? A green blob?”

A grin threatened to erupt on my face as he looked from me to the green light and back again. Twice. His jaw dropped, eyes wide and incredulous. I let him off the hook when I broke out laughing.

“Okay, okay, I got a look at it. You’re not going crazy. Not over the green glow. Want to know what you’re seeing?”

“Well, I figure it’s a spirit visiting, but want to know if it’s friendly or not.”

“The jury is out on that. It doesn’t appear hostile. I saw a young soldier manifest himself in the green glow a few times so far. No doubt a veteran come to tell me his story, as Roy did earlier today. I hope it won’t be another middle-of-the-night visit. This is a tired Mumma who needs her sleep.”

The green glow stayed in its position beside the television, shimmering and twinkling as we discussed it. There was still a strong sense of curiosity mixed with apprehension emanating from the glowing presence. Not caring that Geordie was in the room with me, I addressed the green glow.

“Listen, if you want to talk to me, show yourself. I have a big meeting tomorrow morning, so it needs to be now or you have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. What’s it going to be?”

We waited for a reply but didn’t have to wait long. The green glow shimmered and pulsated. A high-pitched whine emanated from it, starting off quiet and escalating as the spirit attempted to communicate with us. I glimpsed a soldier within it, his mouth forming words we couldn’t hear.

Geordie and I shared a curious glance. We heard of this happening but never experienced it. Boring was not a word I could use to describe my journey with the veterans so far.

I engaged the orb, seeking to move the interaction along, and walked closer to its pulsating light. The entire notion of the glowing green orb in my family room intrigued me. It was a new experience for me. I needed to explore and understand what was happening in front of our eyes.

When I stood facing the orb, I reached out and thrust a hand through the shimmering light. A green glow engulfed my fist, extending up my wrist and over my bracelet. The outline of the charms on my bracelet was blurry through the green haze. My hand was freezing as if immersed in an ice bath but dry not wet.

“Geordie! Come check this out! It’s so freaking cool!”

“Should you be doing that, Sarah? It isn’t hurting you, is it?”

“You worry too much, sweetheart. It’ll be fine. My guides are with me, they were the ones who told me to do it. This is amazing. You want to try?”

My guides are spirits who helped me navigate my way through life. They helped me as I worked with spirit and made the life I craved for myself. My guides encouraged me to play with the orb. I knew Geordie, and I could safely explore this new supernatural experience they brought forth.

Geordie walked up beside me. His eyebrow raised in cynicism, his hand outstretched.

“Not sure how this can be okay. I have an uneasy feeling. Still deciding if I am putting my hand in there. It won’t melt, will it?”

As mean as it was, I laughed at his fear of the orb. He was adventurous in so many ways, trusting me to guide him through new experiences, but such a worrywart.

“You’ve watched too many horror movies. It’s neat. Imagine touching Slimer from Ghostbusters. Without the gross part. Try it!”

“Okay….” He touched his fingertips to the orb and pulled his hand back as if the orb burned it. “That was freezing like you’d imagine touching liquid nitrogen to feel. So cold it burns.” He reached his hand out again and pushed his fingers into the light, only stopping when his watch was just outside the perimeter. His face lit up with delight, it was an awesome experience. He wiggled his fingers around and we even clasped hands within the orb.

“Okay now, soldier boy, it’s time to come out and play. Show us who you are and let’s get to business, my bedtime is fast approaching.”

The orb disappeared, leaving our hands waving around in front of us as if we were searching the air for something. We burst out laughing at the sight we must have been. The office glowed green, light spilling into the hallway. Geordie headed towards the kitchen.

“Well, I guess I’m finishing the movie on my own. Chips and dip may be in order here.”

“You don’t mind? I want to keep moving on this. It’s interesting. Besides, we both know they won’t leave me alone until I talk to them. Don’t erase the movie, please.” Geordie blew me a kiss and smiled.

To see what happens next with the man in the green light, check out By the Grace of God: Chapter 2 here:

If you enjoyed this, check out my book, My Little Shadow, here: