The Messenger

By Beth Wiseman

Description:

Walter was eighty-two when he died--the first time. His visit to Heaven was glorious as he reunited with his wife, daughter, and other family and friends, relationships that a full life had nourished. But God tells Walter that he can't stay in Heaven, that Walter has more to do on Earth before he returns Home for good. Leaving those he loves, as well as the love of God, seems unbearable.

The Lord tells Walter that he will return to his earthly existence right away with renewed health and pain-free. God explains to Walter that He will relay messages to him, words that he might not understand but that are intended for the betterment of the recipient.

Walter awakens in his hospital bed feeling like a man of twenty but wondering if he'd dreamed the entire ordeal. When he begins to hear God's messages for others, he follows through, although his own doubts and fears lead him to worry whether he is handling the callings correctly. As a series of events unfold, Walter is happy when things come together for the strangers he seems to have helped, but he starts to become bitter. The two most important people in his life are hurting, and God isn't helping either one of them.

As Walter's faith is tested, will his own bitterness block the voice of God that carries with it a special message for Walter's loved ones?

Book Takeaway:

Pay attention to everything and everyone around you. Sometimes, we miss things because we are
distracted by life. Messages abound if we are listening.

Why the author wrote this book:

This book percolated in my mind for years, and the story is based on something that happened to
me. While speaking to an older group of folks at an assisted living facility, a
man—Walter—approached me after the meeting and told me that he had a message for me from
God. I was skeptical that this kind older gentleman truly had any words of wisdom for me that
came directly from God. Before he delivered the message meant for me, he told me that he had
died, gone to Heaven, and that he was sent back to earth to do God’s work by delivering
messages to those in need. I smiled, still skeptical (understatement). But then Walter told me
something to soothe my soul regarding an issue that was heavy on my heart at the time. I
excused myself, went to the restroom, and I cried. I hadn’t told anyone what was bothering me,
and there was no way Walter could have known what was ailing me. Only God knew how I was
feeling. Thus this fictional story evolved about a man named Walter who dies, comes back, and
delivers messages to people from God.