The Message

From Kim Justeses

Sandy, UT

After many pleasant yours of ministering in a small North Carolina church, my grandfather, the Reverend Francis G. Bryans, passed away in May, 1985.

In the summer of 1996, I experienced a great deal of turmoil in my life. It became necessary for me to leave my job and take care of my health. I was depressed and anxious, and I felt very lost.

One night, as I was sleeping, a noticeable calm surrounded me. I woke up to find my grandfather standing beside me in my room. Behind him I could see a lovely tree-lined street and a beautiful blue sky.

"Hi, Grandpa, " I said, pleased, though slightly confused, by his presence.

"Hi, Doll." He smiled at me.

"What are you doing here?" I noted how handsome he looked. It had been so long since I'd seen him.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you, and I need you to give your mom a message." He reached out and put a comforting arm around my shoulder. "I know how hard things are for you right now. I just wanted to let you know that you're making the right decision to leave your job." His voice was as warm and reassuring as it had been in my youth. "You're going to be just fine.

"Thanks, Grandpa. I needed to hear that." I felt a great lifting in my spirit, a sense of peace that I hadn't felt for a long time. "So, what is it you need me to tell Mom?"

"Well, your mom is having kind of a rough time right now. I need you to tell her that she's going to be okay. It's going to be rough for a little while, and she might think it's not going to work out, but tell her I said it will be alright."

"So, Grandpa, why don't you tell her this." I figured if he could tell me, he could certainly tell my mom.

"She's overwhelmed right now. I'd like to talk to her, but she just can't hear me right now." He smiled again. "You tell her I tried, though."

"I will , " I assured him. I looked around the street, and around my room. "Where's Gramma? How's she doing?

"Gramma's fine. She's busy with your uncle right now. It seems he's having a bit of a go of it with your cousins." He turned and looked up the street. "I need to go now, Doll. You take care of yourself."

"Sure thing, Grandpa." I lay down and went back to sleep.

First thing in the morning, I called my mom and told her what had happened. The instant I mentioned having "spoken" with Grampa, Mom began to cry. Everything that Grampa had said was true. Mom had been struggling with conflict at her job, and other issues were causing her to question her future.

She too, was comforted by the visit and the reassurance from someone so trusted.

From Kim Justeses

Sandy, UT

Legacies