A Cemetery and a Dock
A Story by Michele Parisson
This is one of my all-time favorite stories. God is so awesome and He hears our prayers.
First, a little background… When I’m REALLY upset or depressed, I go through a fast food drive-through, get a chocolate shake and drive over to the cemetery, any cemetery, they’re all the same. (A little trick taught to me by my mom).
Part 1 of 2
It’s always peaceful there, there’s always a breeze and it’s quiet…REALLY quiet. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of city noises and nobody wants to argue with me.
Well, I had my shake and I drove over to one of our local cemeteries on Ridge Rd. in Bay City, Michigan. It was Fall and there was an awesome tree that’s one of my favorites that time of year…vibrant with beautiful colors. (Yeah, I’ve parked there more than once.)
Well, anyway, I was trying to figure out whether to stay in the church and ministry I was involved in or to leave it. I was seriously wrestling and very torn. I wanted to do the right thing for me and my kids. There were things going on locally that just weren’t right and I really needed God’s help on this one but He wasn’t talking.
We had been currently studying Jacob’s name change in the bible and the Reverend said that while the name, Jacob, meant; Trickster, God had changed his name to Israel, which meant; Prevailing Prince. I was really into studying Jacob and all the things he went through and how he struggled. I thought this was really neat and it was exciting to keep learning more. But, I was quite torn.
So, I was drinking my shake, with tears streaming down my cheeks. I was praying and crying to God; I was just so tired of all the conflict and, suddenly in front of my open eyes was a panoramic picture. (I guess some might call it a vision.)
I was wide-awake and this was like a movie playing in front of my eyes. It was a dock and water, but not just any dock, this one was familiar. Hey, I knew this dock, I’d been there before! This was that dock in Tawas!
I blinked and wiped away the tears and suddenly the “picture” was gone, I was quite intrigued and a little freaked out by it. The dock in East Tawas? What does that mean? Weird! I didn’t understand.
So, I finished my crying, praying and my chocolate shake and looked around and said the thing I always say, after a good cry in the cemetery, “Well, everybody here is dead and I’m alive, so I guess I’ll keep-a-goin’ and it’ll be alright.”
I was driving home and that dock picture just wouldn’t leave my brain. It was tugging at me. Then came the internal urging and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit that said, “Go there.”
Huh? Now? It’s getting too late. I don’t wanna’ drive all the way to Tawas. The sun will be going down soon and my kids aren’t even home yet.
It came again,…that push…”Go there.” I was thinking, “Okay, Lord, I’m going but I think it’s stupid and I don’t know why I’m going. If anything, it’ll be a nice drive up the coast and I’ll see some pretty colored leaves on the trees.”
I ran home, slapped together a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and started to write a note for my kids. What do I say? Umm, ummm. Too much to explain. So, I wrote; “Taking a little drive up north, find something to eat for supper, I’ll be back later. Love you, Mom.” (They were both in high school and could fend for themselves.)
We didn’t all have cell phones back then or I could have texted them and shot over some pictures along the way. So I was off and rolling.
The sun was starting to go down and I was just about there. Yeah, the trees were really beautiful, so if nothing else, it was a nice drive, right? Finally, I arrived…East Tawas.
Nice place, pretty water. I drove to where I could see the dock and two men with fishing poles. Cool. I kept driving right past them. Why did I do that? Well, I kept driving because I didn’t know what to do. Maybe I was a little scared, I don’t know.
So, I ended up north of there at a gas station. I stopped to buy a fountain soda, got back in my car and decided that I was just being silly and it was time to go home. At that point it was dark and starting to rain and it was windy…really windy.
I thought to myself, “What the heck am I doing here?? Okay, God…What next?” (But God wasn’t talking.)
So I turned around and started to go back down the road with the dock on my left as I started to drive past it.
“Go there!” It was as if somebody else had a hold of my steering wheel. It felt like someone was PUSHING me! I couldn’t NOT go there. I had to go! “Okay, Lord, I get the picture, now what?”
Part 2 of 2
I turned into the parking lot and parked my car. I opened up my car door, the wind was strong and it was so cold that little drops of freezing rain were pelting my face.
I got out of my car and then quickly back into my car to grab my hoodie. It was dark, wet, cold and rainy and I was walking toward the dock. Was I nuts? The two fishermen were packing up their gear and the waves were getting pretty choppy. I looked at the fishermen as if I was waiting for them to say something. They just smiled and walked away. I really didn’t know what I was doing or why…but I was doing it. I kept walking.
I heard the howling wind and the sound of the waves. It was even getting to feel a little creepy out there on that long dock…but there were lamplights and I kept walking. The dock was long and it curved to the left. Just as I was about to turn left, I saw a person. It was a young and very short lady! She was standing there like a statue, looking out into the water.
I walked up to her and said….”I think I’m here…for you.”
She turned around, looked at me and said, “What?” I could see that she was crying and her eyes were quite puffy indicating she had been crying for a long time.
I said, “I think God sent me here for you.”
She just looked at me with this puzzled look and all of a sudden, this little child came running up behind her and attached himself to her leg. I couldn’t see his face until she pulled his hoodie off his head. This was the most beautiful child with a face that was shining with the bluest of blue eyes.
She said, “This is Jacob.” WOW! I was floored. God might have sent me there for her and I didn’t know why, but that “Jacob” was for me. That kid’s name could have been Harvey or Sam or Bob…but it wasn’t … it was Jacob.
I had my answer, the one I was wrestling with. I needed to stay in the church I was then attending because they had more to teach me at that time in my life. I was blessed and I was thankful. I couldn’t take time to jump up and down because I could see she was hurting.
She had that dazed look about her. You know, the robotic, “deer in the headlight” look, and the wind was starting to get so strong, I had to turn my back to it. I was freezing!
I asked her if we could walk and talk on the way back to the car. She agreed and little Jacob tagged along behind. We walked slowly and she started to pour her heart out to me, about how she’d wanted a baby so bad and was artificially inseminated.
Her boyfriend was supposed to marry her and they’d purchased a mobile home together and now he didn’t want her and he didn’t want Jacob. She had driven up to Tawas and rented a cabin, and she didn’t want to live anymore. (I don‘t feel free to share her name or all of the details of our conversation but it was so very sad and I‘m sure you get the drift.)
WOW! We had a long talk and you know, the wind just sort of died down … or maybe it just wasn’t that important anymore and I just didn’t feel it. I pointed over to her son and said, “He’s a good reason to keep living.” She nodded and said, “You’re right…he is.” I knew I had to stay with her until God told me it was okay to leave.
I asked her if I could pray for her and she said yes. She and I and little Jacob held hands and I prayed. I can’t remember what, but I know it was enough. She was so thankful and so was I. We were both crying…except little Jacob… he was smiling.
Neither one of us had a pen, but I gave her my business card, and I told her to call me and let me know how she was doing. She told me that she was taking Jacob back to their cabin and would begin to plan her future! Yeah! Thank you, Lord!
We all hugged each other and she headed in one direction while I headed in another, both of us getting the answers we needed to keep going on our journeys in life.
God made it plain to me that I needed to stay where I was at the time because they had more to teach me. She, Jacob’s mom, experienced the lengths God would go to, in order to answer her prayer. We both found out how much God loved us.
Two gals, a cemetery and a dock, one hour and 30 minutes away from each other, the distance of 72.84 miles and a mighty, mighty God who loves,… a savior who saves and a comforter who comforts.
Mighty awesome stuff, if you ask me. Mighty awesome, indeed.
A month later, she sent a letter to my office and later came by to visit because she thought I might have been an angel and wanted to see me again in person…wanted to see if I was “real”.
Her life was going much better and she appeared to be blessed and happy. God is good. There’s no doubt in my mind that God answers prayers. He hears and He cares.
Comments from the Original Post
Lori 9.16.12
What a wonderful of we serve. Please don’t ever get too busy to hear His voice or too involved in other things that we don’t see Him in the everyday miracles.
Dori 9.16.12
So glad to read the rest of this story. I, too, am going through a tough time right now: just diagnosed with a heart problem that–for the moment–makes it all but impossible for me to function. Spent 3 days in hospital and though I’m insured, the deductible is so high I don’t know how I’ll pay it off. Et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseum. I’ve been so fearful, so worried about this that I can’t sleep (which doesn’t help!). But this story has reminded me that I am in the hands of the only One who knows the end from the beginning and I need to let Him lead me. Thank you!
bruce 9.14.12
i am going through a very tough an ugly time in my marriage and this story says hang in there becaus God is not finished here with me yet. He is waking me up to do better things for Him. God bless and Thank you Lord of my life.
Bily Riemer Jr. 9.14.12
This True Story is so Beautiful, it should be made into a T.V., Hallmark Movie! From Billy Riemer Jr.
Dora 9.13.12
I had been waiting to read the second part of your story and it was worth the wait. How awesome is our God! I have,since finding this website, tried to keep my heart, eyes and ears opened to God’s messages. I am facing a situation in my life that I would like to know what God’s will is for me. This gives me hope that He will reveal to me when the time is right. God bless.
Erin 9.13.12
Praise The Lord! The story is such a beautiful reminder of how much God loves each and everyone of us. His care is perfect in every situation. This story puposed to me such a loving feeling and gratitude towards Our Father. Thank you so much for sharing this. Beautiful. Glory to God, always for His lovingkindness.
I need to hear the rest of this story!! 9.12.12
I haave stories in me that need to be on paper and in print. Pray i get them all out!!
I need to hear the rest of this story!! 9.12.12
I really have some things to put out there pray I do it right?? please Carol
joana costa 9.12.12
hi my sester now im so curios to finish,to head the final store ,you what when i was more yong in brazil i use to do tha but im wasnt cristian yet but i remeber that cessation,the i fill was so peacefull. sorry about my bad english.
Ms. Lacey 9.11.12
I think the hardest part we have to do is wait on God for answers. God is telling us something whether it is a dream or vision.
I still have a dream from 20 years ago where I met the man of my dreams (and more than one man has said he was the one who had the dream about me) but I am trying to define the equally yoked part. Most other dreams have come true and some I even find the scripture that matches the dream. All you can do is pray (and have others pray as I can do for you) to ask God to define what your vision means.
If Tawa is in New Zealand I have studied about it and they tout to be 100% middle earth 100% pure on the website. I certainly wouldn’t mind some day visiting there.
Michelle, going to a cemetary is very cleansing and I have gotten down on my knees before to pray about a similar situation because I am a female pastor that goes to a local church but deep down I want to convey the message that God has put in my heart. Unfortunately, I don’t have funds to travel there at the moment. Don’t forget God is always there for you and to keep on praying!
fe o. guerero 9.11.12
thank you,, so much w/ this website,,, now .. i think im getting answers nto all my questions that are in my head, regarding the awesomeness of God.. God bless. this page..
fe o. guerero 9.11.12
omg what a story..im so excited what will happen next? so, pls let me know..that God really is talking to us. He talked to us through events in our life.. sometimes we are not aware of it but He does really!!!
June 9.11.12
HELLO, I Have enjoyed this same experience in GOD directing me to
a location.. WOW – HOW real HE IS… Bless you..
Pamela 9.10.12
I can’t wait to hear the rest of the story in part 2!
Pamela 9.10.12
Oh, no, don’t stop now! I need to hear the rest of the story! I am intrigued by how God works….and I wonder…will He use me too?