A chill ran

February 24, 2025

by Ruth

I wasn’t planning to talk about this, but I can’t stop thinking about it.

This happened just last night, right at 3 a.m.

My bedroom is close to the front entrance of my house. The outside porch lights stay on all night, making the hallway brighter than I’d like. My husband sleeps in the den at the back of the house because it’s more comfortable for him after his surgery.

I went to bed around midnight and fell into a deep sleep. I was dreaming about something normal—just an old place I used to live. Then, I felt it. A steady tap, tap, tap on my leg, strong enough to wake me.

At first, I wasn’t sure if it was part of my dream or something else. My right hand was completely numb, like it had lost circulation. I thought maybe my heart had slowed too much in my sleep. I’ve had some heart issues before, and even though I’ve been fine for a while, I’m always a little aware of it.

I decided to move around to get my blood flowing, so I stood up. My dog was lying right next to my bed, still sleeping soundly. That’s when I saw it—a bright flash of light from the corner of my eye, near the entrance to the house. It was fast, sudden, and completely unexpected.

For a second, my mind raced. Could it have been a reflection? Maybe headlights from a passing car? But at this hour, on this quiet street, that seemed unlikely.

I walked through the house, checking each room. My other dog was still asleep. My husband was snoring in the den, far from where I was. Everything was still and quiet.

I went back to my room and checked the time—3:03 a.m. A chill ran through me, and I started shivering. Maybe it was just the cold, or maybe it was something else.

Was something trying to wake me? Was it a warning? A sign? Years ago, after my mother passed, I once felt a soft touch on my hand while I was sleeping. But this was different—stronger, like it needed me to pay attention.

Before bed, I had prayed, as I always do, asking for protection over my home and family. But was I really prepared for an answer?

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