A week ago my 90 YO uncle died, the last of dad's brothers. What happened in his life is a powerful testimony of the patience, long-suffering of God. It is a powerful story of how God keeps working to prepare a person for death. Want to hear it? Read on.
Henry was born to an Amish family. His father was an abusive man, singling out this son for excessive physical and emotional abuse.
WW2 came and he signed up for non-combatant service in the Army. He served 2 1/2 years in Europe, assisting in the set up of communication systems.
While in the war, he experienced dramatic protections from bombs, bullets that can only be attributed to the Divine.
After the war, he came home. His father met him, took him into his arms and weeping asked him for forgiveness for how he used and treated him throughout his life. Henry could never share this story without becoming emotional.
In 1955 Henry came to the LORD. Until this time he had a tobacco habit. But when he surrendered to the LORD He removed this habit from him. He never had a desire for tobacco since. Henry had no explanation why he was delivered so radically when others still struggle with it.
Henry had married, had two children, a boy and a girl. In life he had a blind spot in how he handled grievences - he responded with anger. He was a perfectionist, and was unforgiving.
Fast forward to this year. He fell, injured his back and was in intense pain. While hospitalized, he yearned to 'go home': "Jesus take me home" was his cry. One day as his daughter was wheeling him from therapy he again was belaboring his state. (Up to this point he had made life miserable for his children - all their lives.) Then his daughter said, "Dad, if you do not repent you will never see Jesus and you will go to hell!"
In about 24 hours Henry started to make apologies to his children. When this started they were not certain of his sincerety but as time went on, they became convinced of it. He not only reconcilled with his children, he did with others with whom he had conflicts with. His daughter told me, "Sandra, I has seen such tenderness pass between my brother and dad like I have never witnessed before." Up to this point the son used to say how he wished he could experience praise and approval from dad but it was never forthcoming. Now it happened.
The daughter also told me how her dad told her that he had forgiven her for setting his barn on fire (it burned to the ground) - she was young, playing with matches. "I knew he had forgiven me," she said, "but he never told me until now. Sandra, this meant a lot to me, hearing him say it!"
Henry died, having made peace with God, his children and others. Those close to him have no doubts about his eternal destiny.
Henry asked his son-in-law to speak at his funeral and to talk about Jesus, his mercy, grace and redemption of sinners. Glen shared an evangelistic message. At the close he asked for a raise of hands of those who want to get right with the LORD Jesus...after which he prayed.
Among those who raised their hands was a cousin who had turned his back on Christianity, the LORD. We saw his raising of his hand as a miraculous break-through in the hard shell in which he lived. The sentiment was that there is work that is forthcoming in dealing with him. ALSO another cousin who had turned his back on Christ talked to Glen about his sermon - it is thought he is searching as well. This cousin got Glen's email addy with the plans to communicate more with him on this subject.
This past week spent with cousins was awesome. We heard how the LORD was working in family members and it leaves one feeling so weak and chastised because I have given up on a lot of people - literally.
"It is better to go to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting" says the preacher. How true it is, so true.
God is so good!
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Sandra Miller
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