A Story of Faith

 

Last week, I received a record seven critical incident requests. It is a humble privilege to listen and provide comfort to many employees who are shocked and numbed by the news that their co-worker had died. But last week’s “God moment” came attending my cousin Butchie’s funeral service.

 

To Sandra, his wife, he was her Hank, to his 91 year-old and my aunt Helen, he was her son Butch, but to me and all his cousins we knew him as “Butchie.”  

 

For the past five years, he lived at Kirkhaven Nursing Home coping with the miserable disease of dementia. However, Sandra’s son shared that he was grateful how well Hank had cared for his mom. He shared that his teenage son would miss Uncle Hank because when this nephew came to visit, he picked a western or sci-fi movie and the two of them would watch together.

 

There was no solemn church service, or grand choir, a few “amens” from the congregation when the local church deacon preached. When invited to speak, I shared that Jesus loves the helpless, especially the children and Butchie was a “child at heart.’ He had no control over his past addictions and the Alzheimer’s but Jesus taught “blessed are the children for they will inherit the kingdom.” In our helpless state of affairs, Jesus comes to bring His compassion and mercy.

 

But the sacred “God moment” came when Kathy, another cousin, shared that on the night he died, she came with his mom earlier and they told Butch to let go and let God take you home. He would be with his dad and two brothers. Once they got home, the nursing home called and told them he had gone to heaven. Kathy shared that Butch was sending his mom and Kathy messages from heaven that he was at peace.

 

Reading her bible on the following day, she read from James which meant that Butch was with his brother Jimmy. She then found a card he had wrote his mom, and in his own writing expressed how grateful he was for putting up with him and that he loved her for standing by his side through the struggles of life. Without a doubt, Kathy shared with Hank’s wife, his mom and her family that Butch was safe in the tender arms of Jesus. Lots of “amens.”

 

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have not been inside a church in awhile.

Rest assure that Jesus knows our weaknesses and how hard it is to let go of our bad habits. Like Kathy, may we know that God made us in His image to be His child forever. I asked Butchie to pray for all of us so that our faith will grow strong until we meet him in paradise.