Chapter 4 - Page 39 - 2000 Acres

   In his hotel room, Jim lay back on his bed, thinking about the land and what he needed to do next. He realized he didn’t have any plans for the rest of the day. He wanted to get out of his room and do something, but he didn’t know what. All he’d eaten during the day was a bowl of oatmeal, but he still wasn’t hungry. Then he recalled seeing a large, heated, indoor swimming pool across the lobby from the restaurant. No one seemed to use the pool during the day. Jim decided to go for a swim. He cut off a pair of old blue jeans about knee length and changed into them and a pullover shirt, then hung the dress suit he’d been wearing in the closet. He picked up a towel and his key card, and headed for the hotel swimming pool.

   Jim threw his towel and key card on a chair, then walked to the edge of the pool. He thought about God sitting on his throne with Jesus at his right hand side. Jim dipped his foot in the water to check the temperature. Satisfied that it was warm enough, he entered the pool at the shallow end, planning to slowly work his way toward the deep end.

   When Jim entered the water, he could see the texture change. It felt smooth, like oil. When the water got too deep to walk, Jim swam to the middle of the deep area. A blue glow filled the swimming pool. It extended out and over the pool like an egg-shaped dome.

   The glow made Jim want to talk to God. He closed his eyes. “Father,” he prayed, “I love you and I praise your holy name.” He could hear the humming sound, growing louder, then pulsing. After a few seconds, it faded away. Jim stopped swimming. He felt his body being pulled out of the water until he knelt on its surface. It felt like a cushioned floor. “Please forgive me of my sins,” he said, “and have mercy on my soul.”