Experiencing Hope for Myself
I attended my mother's funeral last Friday... it was a beautiful service. It was beautiful because I know Jesus, and so did my mother... and because we both are a part of a family of Christians who love us.
Though I wasn't raised in a Christian home, my parents were... and though we didn't go to church... my folks taught me right from wrong. Mother and dad had fallen away from the teaching of their youth, but it was always there, waiting to be born. I myself, accepted Christ at 36 years of age... which was largely due to my grandparents teaching that came through my parents... and because of the teaching of faithful bible school teachers in my community, which mother always insisted that we attend as children. Thank God for that... for those teachings stayed with me, even when I was in rebellion to them.
One day... it seemed out of nowhere, the Lord began to bring those teachings to mind and I fell under such strong conviction that I could no longer run anymore. That's when I began my eternal life with God. My family and my parents were taken aback at this sudden and drastic decision... and the change in my life. I am one of six siblings, some embraced my decision... and some still have not, but all could clearly see that Jesus had made a change in me, for the better.
Mother and dad watched intently, but didn't follow the Lord's lead through me, though my two sisters did. Why is it that women are so much more open to the Gospel in our culture? Well, that's another blog altogether. I prayed for my parents, I encouraged them to come to church... and they did, every once in a while... but, never a decision... never a profession of faith in Jesus. One night I even went over and talked for several hours with them, but... for some reason... my words seemed to bounce off... and I didn't see them in church again for several weeks.
I was beginning to loose hope...
Then, one Sunday, there they were, sitting in the sanctuary as I came out of Sunday School. That day, mom went foreward after the service and accepted Jesus... and dad went foreward the following Sunday... all in God's time I suppose. Mother was 71 and dad was 81... what a miracle!
My folks were always good people... they were Godly people... but now they were God's people! They were so happy to have finally made that decision... they were so happy to be a part of God's family. They prayed together... read their bible together... and never missed church. We talked about Jesus... and discussed the bible together. They kepted going to church as long as they could... then we lost dad when he was 87. And in only year and a half, just the other day... mother passed.
1st Thessalonians 4: 13 reminds us that we should not greive as those who have no hope. I watched some of those' reaction during this time... those who have no hope... and I am sorry for them. Though I will miss my parents for a time... I celebrate their reunion with each other, and anticipate my reunion with them, sometimes in the future when my time comes to take my flight. I celebrate the fact that my wife will be with me... and my daughter... in that great and eternal reunion, where there will be no more good-byes. And I pray for those that I love... and those that I don't know... hoping for them, that they my experience this peace.
We should never loose hope... it may be our prayers that keeps those people's hearts soft... soft enough that the Holy Spirit can do His work. Someone was praying for me... and I'm so thankful. There were many praying for my folks... some had been praying for decades... then, in God's time... mom and dad accepted Jesus.
Romans 15:13 reminds us that God is a God of hope... and that, if we have faith, He will fill us with hope and peace... in the POWER of the Holy Spirt. Never give up... keep praying... we serve a God of Hope... I have experienced that Hope first hand...
Amen
