The Reading

I was busy doing readings in the privacy of my home. My marriage was failing, and it was only a matter of time before it completely dissolved. I had let go of my traditional design work, at which I had achieved success, to assist others on their spiritual journeys.

I received an out-of-the-blue call to do some faux finishing and met Jean, who was a loving, kind, and sweet soul. I was perplexed during the entire consultation. I asked, "Jean, can I ask you a question?" When she nodded, I asked, "Are you single?"

She was bewildered and didn't know how to answer. Finally, she said, "Yes, but no. He died, but he's here."

I said, "He passed two years ago. He is here, but not. He's been playing with me since I arrived and has been turning on and off the lights and the TV in the master bedroom."

She was surprised, became emotional, and asked, "How can you know that?"

I was transparent with her, explaining that I had been confused when she called me. Telling her I didn't know Melissa, the decorator who had referred her to me and that I was not promoting my decorative arts or design work because I was only doing spiritual work as a medium. I explained that I didn't understand why God had brought us together, but I knew that He had. She became excited, and said she could answer this riddle for me, that Melissa was looking for a medium, and the connection was made.

I then shared with Jean, the intuitive information I was given, as to why she had the need to decorate her home and in ways she had not thought of when her husband was alive. Her husband wanted her to make this place her own personal space. Later, while I was painting in the home, he came through very dramatically and was such a loving and supportive man. He told me how much he loved the walls I was painting, and I shared this with her. Meeting Jean and having this beautiful exchange with her changed both our lives.

I met Melissa days later at Jean's home. Jean had a doctor's appointment and asked me to arrive fifteen minutes early. She trusted me with the keys to her home. I let myself in and waited for Melissa and her mother, who was visiting.

Melissa was "in my face" immediately, telling me what I would and would not do. I explained that I was a professional and had a code of ethics. I assured her if she let me do my job, she would see how I treated my clients with respect. I then asked her if she had carte blanche to make all decisions for her client, and she answered no. I told her that I had to do it my way, and if she liked it, she could refer me again.

Melissa again tried to tell me what to do and told me to take down some of the finishes I was offering Jean. We both liked the same one and she wanted me to tell Jean what she was going to get in her home, instead of offering her the choices. I explained the way I worked arose from my extensive training. It was my job to educate clients so they would know what effect the painting or redecorating would have on their homes. I gave clients the educated choices I would want someone to give me. If she allowed me to proceed, she would see Jean come to the same conclusion about which finish would work best. I explained this process would build Jean's self-esteem because it allowed her to make the choice. Melissa would see Jean light up when she realized she picked the same finish.

Jean walked in, hugged me, and spoke to Melissa, who told Jean that we would tell her what to do. I calmly said, "No, we will not, Melissa. Jean, if I may, let's begin." Jean chose the finish she wanted. When I revealed it was the same one we'd picked, she was elated and couldn't believe she had made the same choice people in the industry would have made.

When it was time to leave, Jean offered to help me take my samples to my car. Melissa demanded that she alone walk me out. As soon as we left Jean's doorway, I asked Melissa if she had learned anything about how I do business. She said, "I don't want to talk about that. I want to ask you questions." She interrogated me about changing jobs. I told her my spiritual work was not something I allowed anyone to play with; if she wanted to know anything, she should schedule a session. She booked an appointment three days later.

Thirty minutes before my session with Melissa, I was on the phone with my best friend, Robyn. I explained that I was very uncomfortable. I didn't want to do the session with Melissa. Robyn was surprised, as she had never heard me talk like that. She asked me provocative questions to get me to articulate my thoughts. This was something we have always offered each other in friendship, to speak aloud what we were feeling within to gain more clarity.

Ten minutes before the session, I told Robyn I had to go to ask God what I was supposed to do. I asked God, "What do I do about Melissa's energy? I don't want her in my home, and this is the first time I've not wanted to do a session with someone."

I heard God answer clearly, "Tell the ego it does not have permission to come into your space. It cannot come inside and must stay in the car."

I smiled and said to myself, Well, let's see if this works. I said aloud, "Melissa, I'm struggling over you coming into my home, and I have to tell you that you can come in, but your ego has to stay in the car."

She came to the door, was demure, and her body showed signs of humility. Instead of standing erect and walking aggressively, she was softer in every way, including her voice. She was much more relaxed than she had been in Jean's home. I smiled and thanked God for this new way of working with difficult people.

We began the session. When I first got the information, I paused because I couldn't believe God wanted me to address the fact that she was abrasive and difficult. God told me to get out of the way, to say what was coming through. I explained that Melissa's aggression and abrasiveness were not her true nature but due to something that had happened when she was fourteen. And because it and subsequent events had been so horrific and traumatic, she had never recovered. She was neither healed nor whole. I showed how this had affected her entire life with men, giving details about specific relationships that helped her to understand the patterns and why they had occurred.

I told her the man who was involved was standing in front of her and gave details of the events as well as their timeframe. I described his hair, including the color and how it was cut, his stature, age, and many more details. Anger started to rise within her. But she was also shocked that God knew her so well and so completely that He could reveal these details she had never disclosed to anyone, and she was sixty-one years old.

Before the session was over, she was crying. She forgave the man and walked out a freer woman. She told me about her brother, Phil, who was the most spiritual man she'd ever known. She said I was further along my path than he was and that he and I would enjoy meeting each other. I said, "Hey, I'm always up for another spiritual friendship."

That afternoon, Melissa called to ask me if I would do a session for Phil. However, he had extenuating circumstances; he was in federal prison. I told her I would not have a problem doing a session by phone with a federal inmate or anyone else for that matter. (I'd learned a lot from her.) I didn't need to know what he did or how long he had...