One year ago this Sunday will forever be fixed in my mind... Who would have known that it was going to be "the day"!
We got up like normal on a Sunday morning....well, normal Sunday mornings meant that Earl would usually expectantly get out of bed before me, whereas throughout the rest of the week, I was the one to get up first. He loved preaching, and getting to church to fellowship with other believers. And this Sunday was no different, except in retrospect, his choosing the closing song of "God Will Take Care of You" made me wonder if he had any premonition and that he wanted me to remember that fact. It was Bro. Willie's turn to preach, but Earl led the singing, and prayer-time.
The two of us came home after church to our usual Sunday "breakfast-brunch" meal of scrambled eggs, toast, etc. Then Earl reclined in his favorite chair in his "nest" with magazines and books all around his chair. He knew what was there, even though it looked a mess! His Bibles were there, and always also, his lists of people whom he prayed for, as well as the monthly prayer requests from several mission agencies. (I was so thankful my name was at the top of the prayer list...)
There had been a bad accident in the community with 3 young people being killed. At the Community Harvest Festival, it had been decided to have Sunday afternoon for a "Benefit Gospel Concert" to help these dear families with expenses. Earl had just gotten comfortable in his chair, so I almost didn't ask. But I reminded him of the program that afternoon and asked if he was up to going. (He was 93, and a Sunday morning service did take a lot out of him physically.) He got up, and said, "Yes, let's go." Neither he nor I knew that would be the last time he sat in that favorite chair or walk out the door!
We sat in a row near the back. It was being held in the Community Center. Three sisters were singing beautifully, and both Earl and I were enjoying it as they sang, "I'll Fly Away". Then they began singing, "I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene." I was listening to them, and looking up to where they were when I felt a movement beside me, and heard this exclamation "Oh!" coming from Earl's lips, and he raised both his arms. I turned and looked at him, whispering, "What's the matter?" But as I looked into his eyes, he didn't look back into mine....his eyes were seeing something beyond me. And just as quickly, he slumped over onto me. I still can feel how the weight of his body got heavier on me. I think his spirit must have taken flight at that time...no heaviness for him!
The rest is a blur in my mind, the mayor asking if she should call the ambulance and it seemed such a long time for them to come. The air ambulance came and I numbly watched as they tried to resuscitate him, and then off they flew in the helicopter.
Later on, as I read the Bible reading in my scheduled "Read the Bible in a Year" for that day, I came to a verse, whcih stood out to me. It was as if the Lord was saying it to me personally. It was when the Lord was reminding Israel how they had become His, and the words, "and you became mine" jumped out at me. It wasn't like I had not been His before this, but it was a confirmation to me that I was His in the sense of His being my provider and leader, especially now since Earl was no longer here.
I did not know how much I would need Him, because two months later, my son was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.. I've been learning to trust even though I had truly believed God would raise my son up from that bed of sickness, but He didn't. Now, please continue to pray for my two precious grandsons without their Dad, and my sweet daughter-in-law without her husband and soul-mate. Their story has brought much honor to Christ Jesus. People have committed their lives to Jesus, as they've seen these precious young people continue to trust and even be joyful in such situations as they were in. I think that's plenty for this time....thanks for reading and praying.
The two of us came home after church to our usual Sunday "breakfast-brunch" meal of scrambled eggs, toast, etc. Then Earl reclined in his favorite chair in his "nest" with magazines and books all around his chair. He knew what was there, even though it looked a mess! His Bibles were there, and always also, his lists of people whom he prayed for, as well as the monthly prayer requests from several mission agencies. (I was so thankful my name was at the top of the prayer list...)
There had been a bad accident in the community with 3 young people being killed. At the Community Harvest Festival, it had been decided to have Sunday afternoon for a "Benefit Gospel Concert" to help these dear families with expenses. Earl had just gotten comfortable in his chair, so I almost didn't ask. But I reminded him of the program that afternoon and asked if he was up to going. (He was 93, and a Sunday morning service did take a lot out of him physically.) He got up, and said, "Yes, let's go." Neither he nor I knew that would be the last time he sat in that favorite chair or walk out the door!
We sat in a row near the back. It was being held in the Community Center. Three sisters were singing beautifully, and both Earl and I were enjoying it as they sang, "I'll Fly Away". Then they began singing, "I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene." I was listening to them, and looking up to where they were when I felt a movement beside me, and heard this exclamation "Oh!" coming from Earl's lips, and he raised both his arms. I turned and looked at him, whispering, "What's the matter?" But as I looked into his eyes, he didn't look back into mine....his eyes were seeing something beyond me. And just as quickly, he slumped over onto me. I still can feel how the weight of his body got heavier on me. I think his spirit must have taken flight at that time...no heaviness for him!
The rest is a blur in my mind, the mayor asking if she should call the ambulance and it seemed such a long time for them to come. The air ambulance came and I numbly watched as they tried to resuscitate him, and then off they flew in the helicopter.
Later on, as I read the Bible reading in my scheduled "Read the Bible in a Year" for that day, I came to a verse, whcih stood out to me. It was as if the Lord was saying it to me personally. It was when the Lord was reminding Israel how they had become His, and the words, "and you became mine" jumped out at me. It wasn't like I had not been His before this, but it was a confirmation to me that I was His in the sense of His being my provider and leader, especially now since Earl was no longer here.
I did not know how much I would need Him, because two months later, my son was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.. I've been learning to trust even though I had truly believed God would raise my son up from that bed of sickness, but He didn't. Now, please continue to pray for my two precious grandsons without their Dad, and my sweet daughter-in-law without her husband and soul-mate. Their story has brought much honor to Christ Jesus. People have committed their lives to Jesus, as they've seen these precious young people continue to trust and even be joyful in such situations as they were in. I think that's plenty for this time....thanks for reading and praying.
What a beautiful way to go, but the hole here is still there. May God continue to comfort the family in that loss.
ReplyDeleteIt is marvellous that 1 year on you have written about that day when Earl when to be with our Lord. He looks a very young man for his years and The Lord was very gracious to take him so suddenly although for you a great shock however He left you with a verse and promise to comfort you. Isn't our Lord wonderful. His timing is always perfect. praise The Lord. It must have been a big test of your faith when The Lord took your son so soon after Earl. A parents never expects to see any of their children did before themselves. It is wonderful that your daughter in law and her 2 boys have a deep grounded Faith in our Lord. I know The Lord never gives us more than we can bare so I know you love Him dearly and trust Him in ALL ways for your future life on earth. May God bless you now and always.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Margaret
ReplyDelete