A patient turned to me as I was getting ready to leave the exam room.

“Doctor,” he said, “I am afraid to die.  Tell me what awaits me on the other side.”

I turned to him and quietly replied, “I don’t know . . .”

“You don’t know?  You’re a Christian man and a doctor.  How can you not know what’s on the other side of death?”

I was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of the door came the sound of scratching and whining.  As I opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped upon the patient with an eager show of gladness and love.  

Turning to the patient, I said, “Did you notice my dog?  He’s actually never been in this room before.  He didn’t know what was inside.  He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.  I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing . . . I know the Master is there and that is enough.”