Somewhere in Proverbs in the Living Bible there is the thought expressed that we can go ahead and make our plans, but the final decision is up to God. That came roaring back into my mind yesterday when I received word that a friend had died in his sleep the night before here in Colorado.
In the previous post on this blog, as you may note, I wrote the following...
IF there is a significant life or death emergency with family or friends...Of CoUrSe, please use our cell phones to reach us...
...thus, a large chunk of yesterday was spent in CSprings with the now widow, Sandy, and her daughter, Rhonda, concerning the pending memorial service for their husband and father, Dan. They have asked my very good friend, Vance (who called me on my cell with the news), and me, to help them walk through this ugly surprise. This IS what one does for and with friends...in Jesus name.
Tomorrow our hopes and dreams were to begin 12 days of Sabbath rest. This holy interruption absolutely pales in comparison to the holy shattering of the hopes and dreams of Sandy and Rhonda.
You see, Dan became a brother in Christ at the end of just this past February, in part, as a result of conversations at a gathering of men in the mountains, and in larger part because of the incredible faithful witness of some his co-workers. There is a HUGE story here of redemption that would encourage your own soul.
Dan was a decorated Vietnam vet, even with a Purple Heart for a huge and serious wound he took on behalf of the turmoil he found himself in. In March my good bud, Vance, and I had the sacred privilege of baptising Dan and Sandy as they took steps forward into their new found faith. And now this...for only God knows the reasons.
Prayers will be appreciated...sincerely...for all concerned. This is no surprise to our Triune God...only to all of us.
Already we find our Triune God deep at work in all of us in this holy unexpected moment. I'll post more at the conclusion of our Sabbath journey.
Rest will come...in God's timing for us all. But for now I conclude with words from George McDonald I keep on the bulletin board at my desk...
If you knew what God knows about death, you would clap your listless hands.
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