Not Ready

My spirit left my body

and I looked down to see

you and others weeping

while standing over me.

 

I cried out, “Here I am,

way up above your head!”

But you couldn’t hear me

and I wondered… Am I dead?

 

I noticed that an angel

was near me standing by;

and said, “This can’t be real,

I’m not ready yet to die.”

 

She replied, ‘I’m not surprised.

I hear that all the time,

from others who, just like you,

are still yet in their prime.’

 

I pleaded, “But I’m different.

I have lots of things to do.

Put me back into my body and

don’t take me ‘till I’m through.

 

I’ll go to church each Sunday

and do the things I should.

If I must go today, my time

on earth won’t look so good.

 

I’ll say my prayers each evening

and spend time with family.

I’ll give a little to the poor

and make God proud of me.

 

I’ll be honest, kind, and caring

if He’ll only let me stay.

I promise, I had planned

to make these changes anyway.”

 

The angel said, ‘I’m sorry.

This would all be great;

But after one has passed away,

it then becomes too late.’

 

Never have I felt such pain

and sorrow in my heart.

I began to tremble

and awakened with a start.

 

I realized I’d been dreaming

and felt joy beyond compare.

I leaped up from my bed

and fell upon my knees in prayer.

 

Either God, or my conscience,

helped me face reality.

And from that moment on

I knew there’d be a different me.