When Death Suddenly Comes
A moving story of deep loss and unexpected consolation through a Divine message.
(An article given to me by a dear lady who wished to remain anonymous)
After celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on the 11th November, 1991, my husband and I rejoiced at God’s goodness to us and our three married children and their children, all of whom love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Six months after this happy event we were asked to stay at our daughter’s home for a couple of weeks while they were away on holiday. We moved in on Friday and early on Saturday morning the family left for their holiday.
That day we had two young great-grandchildren with us, and they enjoyed a day of fun with us. After they had gone home my husband remarked how he enjoyed walking around the garden with each child having a walk on grandpa’s’ shoulders.
When we eventually retired for the night, my husband complained that he could not go to sleep, and this continued till approximately 12.30 am when he asked for a Disprin which he thought might help.
In the meantime, a terrific South African ‘Highveld’ electric storm was building up with howling winds and breaking branches off trees and heavy rain. All of a sudden, I heard my husband gasp and then the terrible ‘death rattle’.
During those moments I actually heard the Lord’s voice say to me, “Do you remember Elijah and the chariot of fire and the whirlwind- the angels of the Lord have come to take God’s servant home.”
This, to me, was more that a Divine revelation – it has been a spiritual blessing through the years that God is love and is always with us.
The parting from a life partner is a most painful experience – it feels as though one has been ‘cut in half’ but faith in the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection and the ministry of the Holy Spirit lifts the burden and gives inner peace.
Stepmother
This poem celebrates the unexpected blessing of a young stepmother's transformative love and care, which turned apprehension into gratitude over the years.
This poem was written by the eldest of three sisters and read it was read at their
stepmother’s 75 th birthday. The three girls were 3,7 and 12 when their father remarried.
Their future stepmother was only nineteen years old at the time.
Perhaps a poem of encouragement to stepmothers?
Three little girls without a mother
All taking care of one another;
Along came Father, totally smitten;
Says “This is Shirley, my new sex kitten.”
A wicked stepmother? No! we cried
But Dad was determined to make her his bride.
What lay ahead for us? Who could tell?
Like Hansel and Gretel, our lives would be hell!
But Oh! Our dear friends, how wrong we were.
Our lives were far richer for having her.
Loving and caring, she feathered our nest
So today we can say “Thanks Ma, you’re the best.”
(Given to me by a friend, now deceased. Author unknown)
A WAR-TIME MIRACLE
After a near amputation from war injuries, a man vowed to become a missionary if he could walk again; he later walked mountains in Zululand without a limp.
“Did miracles still occur after Jesus ascended to heaven? Yes, I think so. My Dad was a living example that I was able to witness daily for the for 11years of my life. He was seriously wounded during the First World War. Machine gun bullets had penetrated both legs and one went right through a knee joint. During the 26 hours before he was taken to a field hospital outside Verdun, France, he made a vow with the Lord that he would become a missionary if he could ever walk again. He was due for a double amputation. When his time came in the open-air theatre the doctor said he was tired and went to have a cup of tea. On his return he skipped my Dad and carried on with his amputations. When an orderly reminded him that he had missed one patient, he replied that he would take a chance with him. My Dad recovered wonderfully and later walked up and down many mountains in Zululand as a missionary, without a limp and any physical support.”
Irmgard Mitchell (Sunshine Coast, Australia)