Our church was the site of a beautiful memorial service today for the father of a long time faithful Rockport family. Approximately 150 people came to the service and reception after. It was wonderful to see the love and support that family and church friends shared in God's presence. The family was so embraced in this difficult time and the seemed to relax. The following story is about what happened at church this afternoon although in another man's life in a different circumstance.
A minister, Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas, once told of a terrifying childhood experience. He was 4 years old and was in the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The caregivers thought it was best for him to spend the first night in the hospital. Thinking little Ellsworth would be well take care of, his father and mother went to their hotel room for the night. Alone in a strange setting, the child was quickly overwhelmed by fear and loneliness. His wailing and profuse tears compelled the nurse in charge to telephone the parents. Here is how Dr. Kalas describes what heppened when his father came for him:
"I remember his dressing me there in the darkness. Then I remember getting on a street car, and sitting way back in the car as we rode to the hotel. He held me very close to him, his long ungainly arm wrapped around me. And the little boy who had been so frightened was now at peace."
Dr. Kalas went on to say that we all have those times when the odds are too great for us to handle. "How good, then, to draw deeply on the resources of God! In Him, there is a peace which is greater than the trouble. How good, indeed, to burrow into a place of security, and to feel an arm wrapping strong about us and to know that it is the arm of our Heavenly Father."
Have a Blessed Week, Diana
No comments:
Post a Comment