MY SPIRITUAL AWAKENING:
Liz Leake
Liz Leake was a 38 year divorcee living in an inner London flat. She had left her past behind and was determined to make a new life. For weeks she had been trying hard to find work, too hard, the strain had tired her out. It was a Friday night in late November 1989, weary and worn out Liz decided to watch a bit of TV then have an early night reading magazines in bed. By ten p.m. she was deeply asleep and, unknown to her, in terrible danger.
'I was really exhausted, it had been a long hard week going from interview to interview, and still no job. London was freezing cold and all the way home on the train I had been promising myself an early night. I had bought myself a couple of woman's mags. at the kiosk outside the tube station near my flat and was looking forward to a good read.'Liz did what thousands of others do when they are overtired, she treated herself to a warm bath and, with a cup of her favourite drink, she went to bed.
'After finishing my nightcap I became really sleepy. Try as I might I just couldn't read, all the words kept going blurry and my eyes felt so heavy. So I turned off my bedside lamp and surrendered to sleep'. But Liz had made a mistake that was about to endanger her life. By accident she had left her electric blanket plugged in and it began to smoulder. 'I was deeply asleep, the warmth of the bed and the soft pillow beneath my head were perfect for a peaceful nights rest. Then suddenly I was awake, wide awake. I could feel someone or something pushing me upright, I felt their strong firm fingers shoving at my shoulders. In shock I reached behind me fully expecting to touch a strangers hands. But the bed was empty, there was only the still warm bedclothes and darkness. Whatever it was that had pushed me was gone'. Liz wondered why she was awake, normally she slept right through to the alarm, and beyond at times. Now she was sitting bolt upright in bed and trying to work out why. 'For the life of me I couldn't understand what had happened, I wasn't really afraid, just curious. So I leant over and switched on my little lamp. There, at the side of my bed I saw what looked like a mist rising up from a pile of blankets. At first I thought it was a ghost as I had never seen one. Then, in absolute horror, I recognised the unmistakable smell of burning material.'
In panic Liz jumped out of bed and ran to fetch help. Luckily the man in the flat next door was still awake and he dealt with the emergency before the fire got going properly. 'Dave from next door knew exactly what to do. Using a long wooden spoon I had once bought my ex-husband for a present, he pushed the smouldering material to one side and unplugged the electric blanket that I, in my weary, worn out state, had forgotten about. When the fire brigade came they said I was a lucky lady. Five more minutes and the smoke from the fire would have reached my bed and I might have smothered to death in my sleep.'Liz is certain that a guardian Angel saved her life that night. She also believes this incredible incident was just the very beginning of her experiences with the world beyond the veil.
'I was quite badly shaken by the fire, I could quite easily have been killed. For over two weeks I slept with the light on. Until, late one December night, I heard a voice from the spirit world speaking to me'. In some strange, inexplicable way Liz Leake had become a psychic. The key that opened the door freeing her paranormal powers had been turned on the night she nearly burnt to death.
'Over the months following the encounter with my guardian Angel I found myself drawn towards psychic studies. At first I just borrowed books on ghosts and hauntings from the library and read them. Then I began to attend a Spiritualist Church where a medium told me I had great work to do in this world of the living'.
Liz undertook many years of development and training trying to master her special spiritual gifts. In time she discovered that she could both see and hear those who now live in the next dimension that she believes exists just around the corner from this material plane. 'Gradually I found I could communicate with spirit people. To me they appeared like a kind of holographic image, real yet not real. Their voices registered inside my head, not in my ears. Soon my gifts were recognised by the Spiritualists in London and the surrounding areas. I began to be asked to demonstrate my mediumship and people came to me for private readings'.
Like many before her Liz became a servant of her own psychic powers. Her fame as a gifted medium spread and, almost before she knew it, she was a full time professional psychic. But the strain on her was proving too much. 'One fine summers day in early July of 1996 I decided I had reached my limit. For the past two years I had given all I could give to my psychic and spiritual development. It had become my life, all of my life and there seemed no time left for me'.
Such difficulties face many people and each must find there own solution. For Liz the answer to her troubles came once again from beyond the veil. 'It was a beautiful sunny day, I will never forget it. The air was as fresh as if it had blown in from the far away sea. I couldn't work any longer, of that I was certain, so on this glorious summer morning I cancelled all my appointments, closed my front door behind me, got into my car and drove to the countryside of Kent'. Liz didn't really know where she was going, or even why. She only knew that go she must.
'Just before noon I found myself sitting in a quaint old churchyard in a village some miles to the East of Maidstone. I had just felt an urge to stop the car and something drew me to that quiet shaded place. The huge aged elm trees overhung the gravel pathway leading through the graveyard. At the far end of the path, near the lichen covered wall, was a well worn wooden bench, there I sat silently breathing in the still peaceful air'. Liz was about to discover why she had been lead into this dark Victorian burial ground.
'As I rested, listening to the carefree singing of a distant blackbird, I heard a boy's voice speaking softly to me. 'Tell my mum I'm all right'. 'I stared about me, the graveyard was empty, save for some far off old ladies shuffling out of the iron gate, faded flowers in their hands. No doubt on their way home from church duties. 'Tell her I'm happy now' the young voice said. And I looked and saw that I was sitting not by some ancient grave but by a newer memorial stone. Quickly I read the inscription, 'In loving memory of our only son Brian. 1986 - 1995. At Peace With The Angels'.
Liz knew now why she had been brought to this old churchyard.'As I heard the spirit of that young child speak I realised that my life had a purpose. A new strength seemed to flood through me. I had been losing sight of my true goals; to use my gifts to bring understanding and hope to others. The spirit of that nine year old boy had made me realise that as a medium it was my duty to give proof of life everlasting to those who grieve on earth. I will never doubt my calling again'.
Today Liz Leake is as busy as she has ever been. Her days are full of joy as she brings to her many personal clients proof that death is but a doorway to another world. A world to which Liz Leake was given the key to all those years ago by her guardian Angel.