Saturday, July 31, 2004
On Eagles Wings
Well, I think I told Beth. Anyhow I went to my corporate worship service in the morning last Sabbath. And probably the first friend(s) I had a this church, a middle aged couple, probably in their 50's, well, I went to that church the New Year of 2002 and they left back home for Australia, after twenty years here, in the Sept. But, her (Wendy's) daughter recentlly qualified as a doctor here, and she came over for her graduation. And I don't know I always liked them, especially her, yet also often found her a little irritating at the time. he always reminded me, of what I used to think of as do-gooders. They always knew what's best for you etc. Tho I never said anything. And basically they would do anything for me, even tho I was pretty much as physically able as I alwas had been, right up until just before they left. Pick me up and take me to church every week. Bring me home. If she couldn't make it, she'd ring her husband to. When Scampi had cancer she offered to take me and her to the vets. One time after some quite major difficulties with dad, she came up for a few hours on the nite. Take me to the Bible study etc, etc. The list was pretty endless, and none of asked for, they just did it. And had be30en Christians over 30years. And I think all their children were too. The youngest boy had Leukiemia when he was nine, and that had bought him to faith, and he hadn't been expected to live. Yet I saw him baptized when he was about 17..
Well, I think I told Beth. Anyhow I went to my corporate worship service in the morning last Sabbath. And probably the first friend(s) I had a this church, a middle aged couple, probably in their 50's, well, I went to that church the New Year of 2002 and they left back home for Australia, after twenty years here, in the Sept. But, her (Wendy's) daughter recentlly qualified as a doctor here, and she came over for her graduation. And I don't know I always liked them, especially her, yet also often found her a little irritating at the time. he always reminded me, of what I used to think of as do-gooders. They always knew what's best for you etc. Tho I never said anything. And basically they would do anything for me, even tho I was pretty much as physically able as I alwas had been, right up until just before they left. Pick me up and take me to church every week. Bring me home. If she couldn't make it, she'd ring her husband to. When Scampi had cancer she offered to take me and her to the vets. One time after some quite major difficulties with dad, she came up for a few hours on the nite. Take me to the Bible study etc, etc. The list was pretty endless, and none of asked for, they just did it. And had be30en Christians over 30years. And I think all their children were too. The youngest boy had Leukiemia when he was nine, and that had bought him to faith, and he hadn't been expected to live. Yet I saw him baptized when he was about 17..
(this is DJ trying to paint a picture...tis better than my artistic skills so be grateful!)
Anyhow, she was back for two weeks. I hadn't seen her the week before, and last time I saw her, tho in quite severe pain, was still up and walking about. Didn't start using a chair even part time till a month or two after they left.
It was the weirdest conversation yet probably one of the most bitter-sweet and blessed, I had with another Christian last Sunday. And realized the habit that almost two years ago, had seemed to irritate, now was a cs oAn Christian trait, and didn't bother me at all. She asked about dad, Scampi etc. And it was kind of sad too. I mean, I sometimes feel death is a near neighbour, very near. Yet rarely talk of it openly. Except occassionally online. And you know when you see someone maybe not for a long time, (I mean donkeys years) and you can see the change... I knew she saw, tho less than two, yet she tried to hide it. After we said hello etc..and she sat down, it was hard to not to have to fight emotion when she asked how things had been with me. Esp seeing tears in her eyes as she asked. I said somethinglike, oh youknow, onwards and upwards. Things ain't great but they could be alot worse if not for God. And she said what seemed t obe the strangest thing. Yet probably even tho she's been gone she felt she could. She said, you know He has a home for you? And just out of the blue like that was unprepared and the emotions nearly broke through. A Christian ain't supposed to be afraid or tearful at the thought of dying are they? And its not so much the going, its what it takes in getting there. You hear of many Chrsitians dying gracefully and have no doubt they are with the Lord, and have long believed the best testimony a Christian can give, is when sick and dying in the immediate, (don't mean I am) is to die well, and still praising God. But it was kind of a weird yet at the same time blessed conversation. Sometimes other peoples reactions to things can be hard to fathom, or deal with. Sometimes peopel will smother one, and yet often there's no heart felt warmth there. Sometimes they just won't know what to do or say in any given situation. And sometimes, they obviously don't have a clue really.
I changed the subject after that and asked after her husband and family etc and we generally just caught up.
And it was kind of sad to say goodbye too. As she went back this last Wednesday. Australia is not like London. And true her daughter is still here, yet if its been amost two years since they moved, and if its at least another two years, who knows where any of us will be. Last time, tho struggling some, had no idea what lay in store during the intermittent time. So, tho brief, I have to say, was pretty much one of the most blessed tender times have had in fellowship with anyone. I guess somehow, it also seemed to put very distinct marks in the sand, about time, and how little we often value it, how we can be careless with it and take it for granted. And also cos of how irritated I used to often feel, by her well meaningness before, how often we often only value someone, after for whatever reason, they are no longer around.
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