Father Michael had faithfully served the same little church for forty years.
He baptized babies.
Married young couples.
Comforted grieving families.
And never missed a Sunday sermon.
One night, after a long day, he fell asleep in his favorite chair.
That’s when the dream began.
He found himself standing before the magnificent gates of Heaven.
Everything shimmered with golden light.
Clouds floated peacefully.
Angels sang beautiful hymns.
Then St. Peter appeared with a huge smile.
“Welcome, Father Michael!”
Father Michael bowed respectfully.
“It’s an honor.”
St. Peter laughed.
“Today is your reward.”
The enormous pearly gates slowly opened.
Standing just inside was Sister Angela…
The young, beautiful nun from Father Michael’s own church.
She wore a brilliant white gown that sparkled like sunlight.
Father Michael blinked.
“Angela?”
She smiled warmly.
“Hello, Father.”
Father Michael looked completely confused.
“What are you doing here?”
She smiled even wider.
“I’m your reward.”
Father Michael nearly fainted.
“My… my reward?”
St. Peter nodded enthusiastically.
“That’s right.”
Father Michael’s eyes grew as wide as saucers.
“I’ve spent forty years resisting temptation!”
St. Peter chuckled.
“Exactly.”
Father Michael slowly turned toward Sister Angela.
She stepped closer.
“So…”
he whispered,
“What happens now?”
Before either of them could answer…
A booming voice echoed across Heaven.
“WAIT!”
Another angel came running with a giant clipboard.
He was completely out of breath.
“St. Peter! You mixed up the files again!”
St. Peter frowned.
“I did?”
The angel pointed at the paperwork.
“Father Michael isn’t Sister Angela’s reward…”
He flipped the page.
“…She’s his assignment.”
Father Michael sighed in relief.
Then the angel continued.
“And Father…”
“Yes?”
“You…”
he smiled,
“…are Sister Angela’s reward.”
Father Michael froze.
Sister Angela burst out laughing.
St. Peter grinned.
Then the angel looked at Father Michael and said,
“Relax, Father.”
“In Heaven, everyone finally gets exactly what they prayed for.”
Father Michael smiled.
Then woke up laughing so hard…
He accidentally slept through morning Mass.
When the congregation asked why he was late, he simply smiled and said,
“I had the strangest dream of my life…”
And he wisely decided to keep the rest to himself.
