It was after my NDE that I learned this very valuable lesson in that, whatever we do in our lives, however big or small the act may be, if it is done out of love, that is what pleases God. Because in the twilight of life, there is only one question that will be asked, “How much did you love?” Truly, in the end, love is all there is. There are people who will do great big things during their lives, touching many hundreds of lives and literally moving mountains, but if it is not done in love, it all means nothing. If it is done in love, it means everything. And then there are those people, who do small, ordinary things, things that seem insignificant, like doing things around the home, fixing dinner, doing laundry, or picking up trash alongside the road, caring for an injured bird, planting flowers in the garden or giving money to someone who needs to get medicine and doesn’t have the money to buy it, caring for children or talking to a friend who is sad or caring for aged parents, or sitting with someone who is sick or dying. These are not huge, monumental, or world changing events. They will not touch hundreds or thousands of lives, nor will they move mountains, but they are acts done out of love. I have learned that, to God these acts are just as important. These small acts of love are huge. They are monumental to God. And to Him they are not insignificant, they are world changing events. These small acts, done in love can change the world one little bit at a time. To God big things or small things, whatever we do, if done out of love and with a selfless attitude pleases Him. And pretty much, that is the purpose of our lives here on earth, to Love, to Love one another. To lay down our lives for each other, die to ourselves in love for each other. God does not differentiate in acts of love. Whatever we do though, however big or small, must be done with love or it has no value. In his first letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul said, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

One day I was mopping the floor in the kitchen. I remember that it had been a particularly difficult day taking care of my mother who had Alzheimer’s. I know I made a promise to God when I was a little girl that I would take care of my parents when they were in their older years and I intended to keep that promise, which I took it very seriously. But some days I felt as if I failed in some way. Some days the burden could be very overwhelming and some days were much harder than other days to watch my own mother disappearing right before my own eyes knowing that there is nothing I could do to help her – and I felt helpless. I guess we are always hardest on ourselves and this was one of those days. I was very tired and I felt overwhelmed. Mom was napping so I took that opportunity to clean the kitchen. I was not really thinking of anything, just mopping away and trying to decompress. Then I heard a familiar male voice in the room. It’s a voice I will never forget as long as I live. It was a smooth, calming sound that made my heart sing and my soul soar. It was Jesus. I turned around and looked and He was there standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles and, as always, He was smiling at me. I stood there with the mop in my hand, and I could feel His love so deeply. Then suddenly, I dropped the mop and I said to him “don’t move, don’t say another word, I have to get some paper and a pen to write down every word you say”. He openly chuckled at me as I ran to the kitchen desk to retrieve the paper and pen. When I came back and stood in front of Him, He was just looking at me and smiling. He was looking deeply into my heart and soul. I could feel His love just fill my entire being. I didn’t have to say a word because Jesus already knew my heart. He knew what I was feeling and thinking. He always does. Tears streamed down my face as He reached out his hand and He gently wiped the tears from my face as He said ”Oh my precious Dove, You cry because you think I cast you away when you were with me and that is so far from the truth, I hold you so dear. It simply wasn’t your time. I have a job for you to do. My beautiful little one, you know that I love you. You know that I am with you. I always am. You are here because your life has meaning. You have to step aside and take the “you” out of the equation. Just let me do all the work. You are doing just fine in what you are doing. Because what you do, you do out of love. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just let me do the work. I will handle it. I am capable. Just be present and be at peace. You just love, the way you always do. All that has happened to you in your life has happened to prepare you for this moment, to make you strong enough for this very important job I have asked you to do for me. I am with you to give you my strength. I love you. Lean on me when you are weak and scared. Do not be afraid. Just love, that’s all. It’s that simple. That is the purpose of your life, my beautiful Dove. When you feel torn and weary, give it to me; remember I am strongest when you are at your weakest. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you stranded. I am right here with you always. I will love you until beyond the end of time “

Sharon Milliman