A Lifetime of Faithfulness

 Dear Friends,

We arrived back from Bangkok Friday night, safe and sound although wondering if travelling as 'standby' is really the way to go at our age.  We like the price but the body isn't sure if we're cut out for the athletics of dashing onto the plane and and grovelling to whatever seat is left! ha.

Enough whinging.  We are safe and happy, luggage intact, kids to pick us up and a warm meal with friends before we crashed. And because we got home, we were in time to attend the funeral of a dear friend.

Tony and his wife Beris have been church members with us as long as we have been here in the Gold Coast.  3 1/2 years ago Tony just couldn't recover from a double knee replacement and it was finally discovered that he had Motor Neuron Disease.  Usually the incurable illness (including variations like Lou Gehrig's and others) is fairly untreatable and carries lifespan is 3-5 years.  Tony probably had had it for 2 years by the time it was diagnosed.

We were all shocked.  Of course was all prayed, offered wanted and unwanted advice, helped them move into a smaller place, ......all the things you do when you're friends.

Then we watched him waste away.  The last day he was alive, he could only speak. That was the only muscle that still seemed to work.

So sad, you say, and you're right.  

But today I want to talk about the man inside the body.

He found Christ at age 23, after immigrating to Australia from England.  Like many of us, he found his bride at the church youth group.

They married and had a family; 3 kids.  They lived modestly, always were available to help wherever needed, laughed a lot and no one can remember  any of them ever complaining.

What spoke to me the most was hearing their children's testimonies. 

Raised in church,  excelling with their parents support,  laughing as they remembered picnics to nearby places, tea breaks along the side of the road, family vacations together to go camping or visit relatives, hardly ever even out of our state!  The girls are married to ministers and the boy is a lovely and talented cabinet maker.  

The point that resonated with me over and over is that, the entire family ALL love the Lord and are quite content, even though some would say they were dealt a horrifying blow.

The kids are radiant and have found (and are sharing with the 10 grandchildren), lives of purpose and fulfilment. This has been achieved beyond the "Things" that so many of us think are necessary for happiness.

Someone spoke to him just  hours before he died and said, "I guess they're putting the finishing touches on your mansion" to which he replied, 

"Just a few refurbishes and some paint"

I told someone "I want a funeral like his...........but first I'm going to have to live a life that's worthy."

Tony's now with his Maker, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, but wait........there's more.

Tony was always quick to point others to the Saviour.  In the high care home where he lived, he initiated a weekly worship service and continued it the whole time he was there, including Covid when no outsiders could visit.  When he could no longer function enough, his wife Beris and others helped him lead.

A few days  before he died, in his regular inclination, he took the time to witness about the wonders of Jesus to a Jewish lady resident there.

Amazing, you say....

The day after he died, Beris stopped by the home to pick up some of his things and the  same lady stopped her and said, 

"I'm ready to believe!"  And so, even in her grief Beris led her to the Lord!

Wouldn't we all want our last breath to be telling others of the Saving Grace of Jesus!

Have a blessed week, Marsha