AARON WATCHED A SMALL group of runners as they talked and ran along a path parallel to the Brisbane River. He watched as a colony of gulls broke up and flew to the sky when the runners came too close. Their squawk he had to imagine, as the car windows blocked out sounds from the outside world. He returned his gaze to Kathy, who now had her hand on James’s lap as he drove the five of them to the mortuary.

Kathy had decided to give the passengers an update. “We were informed earlier that the coroner has requested that an autopsy be performed on our Mackenzie. So I’m glad we’re going to get this thing done before that. I’ve told them that we would like to come in and pray for our daughter and the other person who were brought in last night. They were unsure about the other person, but said they’d check out if that was okay.”

Aaron noticed that Kathy’s enthusiasm was dropping off. Aaron understood. He was impressed by Churchie’s abilities. He even believed they were supernatural, but like a drug, the effects wear off. Normality soon comes back. He knew Kathy and James would still be finding it hard and wondering if they were doing the right thing. They would all be glad when it was over.

“They’re hesitant about who could come in and see the bodies, and would only allow relatives and the Reverend. I tried to get you in, Aaron, but they’re quite strict on who could come in. Sorry, Churchie, the same goes for you.”

Aaron shook his head in agreement. “I understand, Kathy. When you think about it, what has taken place over the past few days is quite extraordinary, and the investigation process is going to be complex and thorough. They won’t want anyone tampering with the evidence.”

“You sound so military, Aaron,” Kathy said.

“Yeah, soldier boy, get a life,” Churchie gave him a nudge. “It’s okay by me, too, Kathy.

Aaron saw Kathy looking at Churchie in the rear-view mirror.

Kathy spoke. “You know Churchie, there’s something about your eyes. You look excited. You really believe something is going to happen don’t you? I have mixed feelings. I really didn’t know what to think.”

“It will be good, Kathy,” Churchie said.

Kathy nodded her head slowly.

The high from Churchie’s supernatural dose had all but gone now.

<°)))><

The Rev sat in the back seat, gazing at the river craft as they started their daily routines. He sensed Kathy was still not convinced about bringing Mackenzie back to life. He could understand that, because he had struggled with it. But the one thought that stayed strong in his mind was the Bible verse about God’s power being made perfect in weakness. He asked God to help him to be weak in the flesh but strong in the Spirit.

Churchie, squeezed in between the Rev and Aaron, was full of enthusiasm. “And imagine what’s going to take place when these bodies rise.”

Good on ya Churchie. You’re a man of faith.

They travelled in silence for the rest of the trip, each in their own world.

“Think it’s coming up on the left,” Kathy said.

The Rev looked at a pinkish two-story building, bordered by native shrubbery and high-security features. The indicator came on, they turned in and James parked the car. Kathy, James and the Rev got out of the car and headed towards the reception area. Just like a cemetery or crematorium, the reception area allowed visitors to be received in sensitively-planned surroundings. They walked up to the reception desk, completed the appropriate paperwork, and were guided into a meeting room. A mortuary attendant soon took them to the viewing room.

The room was cold.

Two stainless steel tables sat in the centre of the room each with a body fully covered in a white sheet.

The Rev stared at the bodies, pleased that both bodies were there. He’d left that for God to sort out.

<°)))><

Aaron and Churchie leaned on the bonnet of the car, their eyes focused on the main entrance. Aaron didn’t know what to expect. A lot had been happening, and there was a lot to take in, but bodies being raised from the dead?

“What ya thinking about, Aaron?”

“Things unseen, Churchie.” He smiled. “How do you feel about the dead being raised? What happens if it doesn’t happen? How are Kathy and James going to feel?”

“Many questions, Aaron . . . if everyone could see what I see, they’d believe. The angels are messengers of God, Aaron, so I know there’s a God and he’s mighty. So I have no doubt he can raise the dead as he has created all things.”

A line of ants caught Aaron’s attention. “Has it happened before, Churchie?” Aaron watched one of the ants carrying something much larger that its size. How did it do that?

“I read something in the Bible about when Jesus was raised from the dead, the tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. The Rev also told me other examples of individuals being brought back to life—I’m sure you have heard of Lazarus.”

“Yep . . . back from the dead like Lazarus.”

“Aaron, there’s something that you need to remember about these people that were brought back to life. They all died again, eventually. Jesus lives on forever, and so do believers in their next life—that’s the thing called eternal life.”

“Eternal life?”

“It’s the body, Aaron. It’s only a tent, a shell that carries something. The something lives on in heaven or hell while the tent returns to dust. This is what people don’t believe, and that’s why I say if you could see what I see, you would believe. There are angels and there are demons. There is good and evil. And there seems to be some kind of battle going on. I don’t fully understand it but—”

“But, Churchie, I do believe there’s more to life than what we see. It’s just that I never got into the church scene. As my mum would say, it’s just not my cup of tea.”

“So do you believe you will spend eternity with God?

“If you mean go to heaven, I would say yes, but I don’t say that with confidence.”

“But you can know for certain, Aaron.”

Aaron sensed movement. He looked up to see someone coming out of the main entrance, but it was only someone coming out for a smoke.

“Don’t know about that, Churchie.”

“What’s that, Aaron?”

“That you can know for certain.”

“Oh, you can, Aaron.”

Aaron watched the ants again. They just went about their job. They all had a role to play, just doing their part in cleaning up the mess of the world. There was no uncertainty there—they knew their purpose and went about it. Humans were different: most had no idea of their purpose in life. Knowing for certain where you end up when you die must tie in with knowing for certain why you were here in the first place.

<°)))><

The Rev stood there looking at the two bodies.

Kathy and James had formally identified Mackenzie. The other person was yet to be identified and the authorities were unsure if his body should remain in the room. But there wasn’t much credence being paid to what was about to happen so they left the body there.

They all looked to the Rev as if to say it was his show now.

The Rev watched as Kathy and James sat down. The mortuary attendant stood in the background, her white coat blending in with the white walls. The Rev nodded to himself and walked over to the bodies. He stood between the two tables and placed a hand on each body.

“Lord, Father, I’m not sure how to go about this, but I know you are the giver and taker of life. You have put on my heart that you want to restore these people to life.” He bowed his head and waited on the Spirit. He prayed softly.

“Holy Spirit, you are invited into this place. Holy Spirit, you are welcomed into this place.” The Rev repeated these words a number of times. He then paused and waited in the stillness of the Lord.