Christmas Joy

Either I am slowing down or else more opportunities than usual seem to be crossing my path.  Likely it is a combination of the two.  I have been delayed in getting a blog out and also decided against pushing to get a Christmas letter in the mail this year.  There were just not hours enough in the day so I decided that it was more important to spend face to face time with people.

Last week I made a trip to the Virginia Mountains to attend the memorial service and burial of my dear friend Stuart who so valiantly fought Multiple Myeloma and more recently added the challenges of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease during the past months while here in Florida.  It was a delight for me to visit the church situated on the top of a knoll in the mountains where Stuart was a founding member, and have an opportunity to visit with a number of his relatives that live in the area. It was a sunny but brisk day when I arrived for the service, but as I drove down the mountain at dusk, snow flurries were falling past the beam of my headlights.  I was glad to leave that weather behind!

The following day I attended a second service for Stuart in Charlotte, spending the weekend there to visit a number of long-time friends, some who are facing some difficult physical challenges.  I was also able to visit several other friends in route which was a blessing catching up with each other and being reminded that God is in ultimate control of our lives and the situations around us.

It has been a busy time here in the village and at church with many activities over the holidays.  My family was scattered for Christmas, but will be getting together in Michigan for New Years.  I have decided that it is best for me to avoid the potential cold considering the danger of developing some respiratory problems from the anticipated weather.  Those physical weaknesses seem to become magnified as the years pass.  Hopefully as we gain in age we will also gain wisdom about the care of our bodies and lives.  That reminds me of some thoughts from Moses that continually challenge me:

“Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures, yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away…Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:10-14)

Love to all,

Chuck

Morning/Mourning?

After a long day driving home from an unplanned weekend trip with a dear friend to Georgia, followed by a late lunch meeting with another friend in Sebring, a visit to the Hospice House with Stuart’s family as Stuart remained unresponsive, laboring with each breath awaiting the call of his beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus, and finally attending an evening prophecy meeting, I received in the night a message; “Stuart is with the Lord.” 

A multitude of emotions hit me ranging first, one of tremendous joy knowing that he is now free of the pain and cares of this world and tenderly carried to his eternal heavenly home with his beloved Lord Jesus, joining multitudes of friends and family members in heaven.  On the other hand great grief at the loss of a dearly loved friend who has stood faithfully by me and a great number of others, ministering, encouraging and supporting us through those difficult times of life and joyously walking with us during the bright days. 

Having recently finished reading the book of James, I see Stuart as a prime example of following James words; first putting his faith in the Lord Jesus and being obedient to His Word, but then following that by devoting a lifetime of allowing the Lord to shape his life, thoughts and actions, to use him so that our Great God could work through him in each of the lives that his life touched…mine being just one of many!

As I waited for sleep to come late last night, many wonderful memories flooded my mind but at the same time I was challenged by the degree of my trust and obedience to what Jesus is telling me through his Word and His Holy Spirit.  I thank you Lord for the way you have used, and will continue to use Stuart along with many other believers to challenge me in my daily walk.  Help me not only to hear but also to quickly obey you!

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”  (Psalm 116:15)

Love to you all,

Chuck