Coming home means so many different things to so many different people. This is a theme that has been marinating in my spirit for several months now. Today I had the honor of reconnecting with a good friend from high school named Wendy. Our families were very close “back in the day.” I have some fond memories of sharing a place at the beach with them. I remember Wendy showing up about 6 years ago when she heard that I was back in the area. She came by one of our church services and made a very sincere effort after the service to make me feel good about my talk (I really stunk up the place back then). Wendy has the heart of an encourager. I wanted to share a little about Wendy’s story to put some perspective on our Christmas weekend services.
Thirty-one months ago Wendy lost the love of her life, her husband Todd. Todd was a victim of cancer. Wendy’s loss was heaven’s gain. I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Todd, but reading Wendy’s blog gives you a lot of insight into what he was about. Wendy has 6 children ages 18 to 4. I can’t imagine trying to process that kind of loss and keeping it together for my kids. I had heard about Wendy’s loss from a distance, but recent events allowed God to have our paths cross. I know God had that happen so that the Cremeans family and the Fellowship family could encourage her.
My heart has been touched today by Wendy’s loss and her pain. Pain resonates. Pain stinks. Pain unites. It crosses all kinds of barriers that people set up. As I write this I have a tightness and pressure in my chest that only comes from stories like Wendy’s. You see, people all over our area are hurting. Their pain has caused them to lose their way. Think of all the things they have tried to numb that pain. Only God gets people through the pain…the promise of relationship with Him now and a home in heaven. Here is the catch…it is up to us to bring them…to reach out. Jesus left us here with this mission…to lead people home…home is where the Father is. That is the message of Christmas. I hope you are getting the word out.
Wendy, thank you for your courage…you are my hero. Heavenly Father, bless her and may she feel your Spirit close...
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2 comments:
It's hard to find words to adequately thank you and Fellowship for your care and love shown to me yesterday. However, please, please, please, realize I am no hero. Any outward appearance of courage and/or strength is God, working through folks like you. I am a total disaster inside, John. My life is so empty now. I feel so lost. I wish so much you and Todd had met. Todd would have loved you and your spirit and your love for our God. I know he would. I am sure he is thanking God for you today in heaven, for bringing those smiles through my tears yesterday, when I received all the gifts of love. Thank you.
Wendy, my friend, you are a hero. Just your strength as you hang on to Father is amazing. You may feel as though you're slipping, sometimes it's just by your fingernails but you're hanging on with the tenacity of a bulldog. I admire that. It's good. You are a precious friend and I love you. If you could only look inside each person you come in contact with you would see, we're all a total disaster inside. I feel like I'm the biggest disaster of all right now. I need to spend some time with you, Friend. Call me. I love you.
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