From: Les Young [pastorles@comcast.net]
"His Grace "IS" Sufficient "
Date: 12/22/2006
Dearly beloved of God:
Several years ago I heard Kenneth Copeland preaching a message about the grace of God. [Just in case you don't know what grace is, it means unmerited favor; a gift that is freely given and not earned.] He referenced one of the Reformation martyrs [I can't remember the name] who was about to be burned at the stake for preaching about grace, and the righteous living by faith. As they added more wood and the heat intensified, one of those in the crowd taunted, "If God's grace is sufficient, hold up one finger." In his last physical act on earth, the martyr held up two fingers - "more than sufficient."
Some of you know already, but for the rest of you, last Sunday, following services, Barb and I packed the dogs off to the kennel and headed for Old Forge, NY (310 miles int upstate NY) to visit Barb's folks. Barb's Mom had been diagnosed with cancer about this time last year and she chose, at age 80, not to pursue aggressive treatment. So, in the last 2-3 months her health had deteriorated quite a bit. The reports we were getting were a bit conflicting, depending, I think, on what day they were given. The last time Barb spoke with her Mom (Emily) on the phone she sounded quite perky and requested a favorite dish which Barb made and brought with us.
When we arrived Sunday night, we were a bit surprised to see that Emily's physical condition was so poor. It was a pretty rough nighe, but the blessing was that Barb was there for her Mom and took suck loving care of her. The next day calls were made to activate Hospice, and within just a few hours, a hospital bed, medical equipment and supplies were delivered and the whole team showed up at the house. By 2 PM we were being told by the Hospice RN that Emily's time looked to be 24-48 hours away. It was decided that Barb and I should return to CT immediately, and that on Tuesday AM she would go right back to Old Forge. I would stay here, get some work done and tie up some loose ends while waiting for "the call." The call came at 4 PM , shortly after Barb's arrival in Old Forge. Emily had only hours now. I packed and left, but did not make it to Old Forge before Emily went home with Jesus. That's OK - Barb had made it. She was there with her Mom and Dad right at the moment her spirit left her body. They got to witness first hand some of the things I have been preaching about during Advent - "Heaven, the Christmas Advantage."
Before I left Old Forge on Monday, the last thing I did with Emily [and this involved some of the last words she spoke] was pray. We prayed about God's grace having brought us safe thus far, and that God's grace would bring us home. Heaven is our home if we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Emily verbalized that faith more than once, and again at the end. It makes all the difference, as we mourn, but not as those without hope. And all week long we got to experience that more-than-sufficient grade (two-finger grace) first hand, through people, through circumstances, through the system working better than it was ever designed to. Wave after wave, that grace poured in.
To all of you who knew what was going on and prayed, thank you. Those prayers were the wind upon which grace arrived. And to all of you who will pray after receiving this, thank you also. Barb's Dad, Nick, came back with us and in about an hour we will all be at my brother's for a family Christmas gathering. Normally Nick and Emily would not be with us - the trip is too long for them. So this Christmas, Nick is with us and Emily is with the Lord. I think that's what they call a "win-win situation." We have been having fun teaching Nick about all the latest technology, like DVD's and motion sensitive towel dispensers. God is so good. Barb and I pray that all of you will be aware of God's special love and favor (grace) during this wonderful season, as we celebrate the gift of His Son.
From our house to yours - Merry Christmas!
Yours for His Purposes,
Pastor Les & Barb
