COURAGE TO SAY ……………….

May God’s will be done

I am deeply challenged by the vibrant faith of friends who trusted God in difficult circumstances..

Cancer struck 41 year old Geoff who was an energetic, zealous man, with his sweet wife and four precious children.

Initially there was disbelief. Then fear. Disappointment. Worry over the family.

Numerous operations and treatment followed with all the normal reactions from an unexpected malady, and an uncertain future.

After each operation Geoff convalesced at home, where he was so tenderly and lovingly cared for by his wife and children. He bravely endured the hospital visits for radical treatment Yet, despite his physical weakness, Geoff continued his business commitments from home, and encouraged friends who visited to cheer him.

One morning he admitted, ‘For a while I wondered why at 41 years I should soon be taken so early in life, when I know a bounder who has wasted his 96 years, and is allowed to live. But God showed me His perspective, and I will live the extra 55 years in heaven with the Lord.’

One morning his wife rang to say ‘Geoff has gone home.’

At first I thought ‘home from hospital’ until Jen continued, ‘As I held Geoff’s frail hand and quietly talked, he suddenly raised his arms, and with radiant face as though he saw the Lord, gently left us for heaven. I felt the peace of God and His strength come to me.’ Victory.

Several days later a young friend rang to tell me of her enjoyment of her first visit to a Women’s Convention .

The speaker challenged the ladies, ‘When something serious happens what do you say; ‘God, why has this happened to me? Or Lord, what will you teach me so that I may help someone?’’

And this brave young mother explained , that is exactly as I felt when our little girl died accidentally. We miss her so much, but God helps me to comfort other mums in similar losses. ‘Many wondered and few understood her Christ-filled peace, calm and acceptance at the time of the tragedy. But I know of friends helped by her brave testimony.

As well I heard this story from a friend and her husband who visited an elderly lady on the isle of Lewis offshore from Scotland.

She was the mother of a 30 year old son with Down’s syndrome. The son sat on the floor of the living room of their simply-furnished cottage. He was surrounded by his Bible, books, and commentaries.

Since his early childhood the mother lovingly and consistently taught her son of God’s love. Why were the books and commentaries meaningful to such a handicapped man?

With patient and painstaking determination the faithful mother taught the young child to read, so that the bible became a delight and joy to him. She persisted, encouraging him to read more books, and then to everyone’s surprise and astonishment, the commentaries. His sincere trust in the Scriptures and deep faith in His Saviour and God challenged the visitors to their home, and moved many to tears over the faithfulness of the mother.

How humbling to hear of the dedication of the mother, who, at the child’s birth, said, ‘Your will is best’, and then in faith and grace sufficient for the task, taught her dears son the depths of God’s lovingkindness

Only the God-given strength and confidence to say ‘Thy will be done’ enabled those dear believers to triumph in and over their circumstances.