Minnie Goes to Heaven (42)

(a novel continued)

Minnie edged her toe into the water. The cool clear water felt surprisingly warm to her skin. She walked in up to her knees. The water was still warm and inviting. She walked in up to her waist. Her shift billowed around her. "Oh, what the heck, I may as well fall in." 
She did. 
Then she wondered about thinking the word, ‘heck.’ Was the word ‘heck’ to be avoided in heaven? Could one say, ‘hell’ in heaven? She hadn’t heard any do’s and don’ts. People just lived, loving God and each other.

“Over here,” Lydia said, “We can stand on this big rock.”

“Won't it be slippery?”

“We'll find out.”

Minnie dog paddled toward Lydia.

“You could use a swimming lesson,” Lydia said. She showed Minnie how to use her arms and legs to advantage.

“I could get used to this,” Minnie said. I didn’t know swimming was so simple.”

“I’ve never seen anyone learn so quickly,” Lydia said. 
They swam to the rock and climbed on. It wasn't slippery. “Now, we are here on this rock to baptise you, Minnie, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Do you accept Jesus as your Lord and King and the ruler of your life both now and forever more?”

“I have and I do, both now and for evermore.”

“Then I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Lydia lowered Minnie back until she was entirely submerged. Several seconds later, Minnie popped up newly baptised.

“Now you know.” Lydia said.

Minnie did know. She felt a peace that surpassed anything she had ever felt on earth and equalled the peace she felt when she sat on the Father’s lap. She was entirely and completely a child of God. She knew at that moment in the river as she rose up out of the water that she would never again try to do anything without God. Her Daddy was the biggest; she could trust him for everything. “Oh, what a glorious day when Jesus washed my sins away. Thank you Lydia.”

“I told you,” Lydia said. She splashed Minnie with water. Minnie splashed back. Soon they were into a full-fledged water fight laughing and screaming as each tried to outdo the other. They were so absorbed in play that they didn’t notice the crowd forming on the bank of the river.

“What’s the water like?” someone called out.

The girls looked up. There must have been at least 40 people watching them. “Great, come on in,” Lydia yelled.

Several accepted the invitation and invited the others in after them. Soon everyone was swimming and splashing about. “How long have you been here in heaven?” Minnie asked a young girl.

“We’ve been here for five years now.”

“All of you?”

Minnie Goes to Heaven (41)

(a novel continued)

“I’ll tell Ramone. Just wait by the lake.”

Minnie looked down under the partly filled lake. She looked for John. He wasn’t at the house. He wasn't at his work. This would be Tuesday morning. Where could he be? This time of year he always had plenty to do on Tuesday. This was the day he should be receiving deliveries and loading his truck for market. 
Minnie half-expected her stomach to knot. Instead she felt a quiet assurance, a delight actually. “Dear Lord thank you for taking care of John, for guiding and protecting him.” 

Lydia arrived.

The two women set off down the path to the east. There was no need to talk; they felt like they had been friends forever. They walked several kilometres before Lydia asked, “What is your favourite thing about heaven.

“Talking to Jesus,” Minnie said.

 “I like the worship,” Lydia said.

They came to a small river. The water sparkled cool and clear. “Let’s swim” Lydia suggested.

“In our clothes?”

“Why not? They’ll dry.”

Lydia jumped into the water. She swam around, diving and floating. “Come in, it’s wonderful.”

“I’m not much of a swimmer,” Minnie said. “I never, ever put my head under.”

“What about when you were baptised?”

“I was sprinkle baptised as a baby.” 

“Well, we’ll have to fix that.” 

“Does it have to be fixed?” 

“Minnie, who decided to sprinkle baptise you?”

“My parents of course.”

Did you have a say in it?”

“I was an infant.”

“So how can a baby 'repent and be baptised'  as Jesus put it, if that baby isn’t even aware that she is getting baptised? Answer me that. You’ll have to be baptised right here and right now. We might as well get it done.”

“What difference does it make?”

“Do you accept Jesus as your king, the Lord of your life?”

“I do.”

“Jump in and be baptised. You will know the difference. Trust me.”