Filled with praise , even as I think of the death and approaching death, perhaps, of two beloved friends and the grieving which occurs today in at least three families’ lives I know of this morning. But I am filled with praise, because these beloved saints have known God’s provision and grace and peace and guidance throughout their well-lived lives. Psalm 149 says: “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.” In Psalm 116:15, He reminds us: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Bless you, families of Inez Klemm, Betty DeJager, and Lynora Lord. Be at peace, even today.
As a group of us sang at the bedside of dear Betty last night, we were amazed at the Holy Spirit’s presence as we sang old hymns and contemporary choruses which through the ages have affirmed our faith. Betty could not have heard us; her deafness in life surely has not improved as she lay struggling for each breath, but our love for her and her family and the strengthening of our faith as we sang were evidence that where two or three are gathered together, Christ is in the midst of that gathering.
As we talked with Betty’s daughter, my friend Paula, she recounted how real Jesus has been to the family during this time. From a bank official who testified to Jesus as they changed from power of attorney, closed Betty’s savings account, established another one, all without his questioning their reasons for doing this, to the hospice workers who have lovingly served Betty, to the sweet nurse who remembers caring for Betty’s dear husband who lingered over five years following a stroke, to provisions for the family to be here last weekend while she was able to say her goodbyes, God has been all over this situation.
We were encouraged and wonder, how does one approach last days without the Presence of Christ? I know I can’t.
We think today of our pastor, Jerry Klemm, as he bids earthly farewell to his mother. We pray comfort for Lynora Lord and her devoted husband Enos. Godspeed, and we shall certainly see you again in the Lord’s eternal Presence.
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