Delilah's Revelation

As a child, Delilah was taught that the Lord ruled all. God was infallible and to doubt his grace was to bring shame upon your family, yourself, and to suffer eternal damnation. Despite what she had been taught to believe, Delilah’s faith faded over time. She longed to feel His presence or to be graced with proof of His existence but, no matter how much she wished for this, it did not come to pass.

As she matured, Delilah had adopted the belief that God did not exist and that she was free to live life as she pleased, without fear of damnation’s hellfire. But Delilah was kind in heart. She did not require fear of punishment to enforce her actions. She treated all before her with compassion and endearment. When she confessed to her family that she no longer accepted their belief in any God, she was cast out from their home, forbidden from returning. Having been disowned and left out on her own, Delilah vowed never to allow another person’s beliefs to affect her opinion of them. She influenced others to do the same. “Let ye be judged by thine actions, not by the faiths you possess.” Words that rang true in the monastery of compassion and acceptance she built as a safe haven for those who were cast from their homes, just as she was. What started as a small gathering of lost souls seeking acceptance grew into an entire community of gentle people with different faiths, but a similar belief that an individual is to be judged by the quality of their character, not by the God unto which they kneel.

Delilah had lived a full life in the company of those she loved, those who loved her and viewed her almost like their own mother. Delilah looked out upon her people with love and respect for their bravery, living among others whose own countries have waged war upon each other for their religious dissimilarities. This in itself was her life’s achievement and her greatest contribution to the world she knew.

As an old woman, no longer able to stand, she spent her final moments in a bed facing the setting sun, enjoying its warmth upon her weary skin. She had constant visits from friends, loved ones, disciples and visitors from afar who came to express their appreciation for what she has given to them and their families, but those she wanted to see most did not come. The family that cast her out remained steadfast in their decision to remove her from their lives. Her life was full, but their absence created a void that would forever remain empty.

On the final night of her life, Delilah knew she was within moments of the end. She was prepared for it and was grateful for the opportunities to do everything she had done. To experience things others would never know. To bring happiness and peace to so many people whose lives had, up until that moment, been filled with torment and fear. Delilah looked through the open door and was met with a cool breeze gently blowing aside the cloth draped over the doorway. She felt a sudden warmth upon her hand and looked over to see a man standing over her. Despite the setting sun, an apparent glow seemed to fill the room bringing with it a peaceful warmth that surrounded and comforted her. She gazed into the eyes of the man and was filled with the overwhelming sense that she knew this man, possibly from when she was but a child. He spoke. “Delilah, you may not believe in any god, but your actions have not gone unnoticed. You have brought peace and happiness to so many who have, in turn, adopted your kindness and will carry on your gentle nature throughout their lives and the lives of others. Your days in this place will cease to be, but this is not the end for you. Rest, my dear, for soon you will be home.” Delilah’s eyes remained fixated on the man until she realized he was gone. Her weary eyes could remain open no longer and Delilah was able to enjoy what she had been instructed to do by the friendly visitor, rest.  Graced with the presence of what she felt she had been missing her entire life, Delilah was now at peace.