Mike’s Musings …
Precious Friends Pass into Eternity
Fifty-six years of preaching grants a preacher and his family numerous acquaintances and from these acquaintances, strong and faithful friendships develop. Though distance may keep us from face-to-face visits, it does not keep us from heart-to-heart fellowship. Yet, as is the course for all mankind, death parts those close bonds, and we are left with precious memories. Such is again the case this past week.
On Wednesday, BETTY HUGHES departed this life. She and her husband Dean (who passed two years ago) were married for some 73 years before Dean’s passing. After retirement, they traveled extensively and gained even more acquaintances of souls belonging to Christ. They would frequently attend gospel meetings in Illinois where I was preaching, and it wasn’t uncommon for them to call and say, “Haven’t you got time for a cup of coffee and a piece of pie?” It always was much more than coffee and pie! I had the honor of visiting Betty just this past March. Her faithfulness was just as strong then as it had always been. What a beautiful woman she was … especially spiritually!
Then just yesterday, 8-5-23, I received word that my dear brother in Christ and friend KEN FISHER departed from our midst. Ken and his wife Chris and their four children and our family “grew up” together in the past forty-plus years. I’ve stayed in their home numerous times (including a “killer chair” incident). I had the joy of immersing their daughter Kendra into Christ, and their granddaughter, Kodie. I had the duty of preaching at Ken’s grandfather’s funeral and his dad’s and his brother’s. We’ve shared so much together, and indeed, I promise to help his family through this time as well! Oh, the memories we developed!
It seems writing this type of musing comes more frequently nowadays. Perhaps it is because reaching three-score years and ten forces our older acquaintances into the four-score years and beyond. None of us can live forever here in this world, and the faithful ones like Betty and Ken don’t want to. We realize there is a much better world, an eternal one that awaits those who love the Lord and serve Him rather than man. We realize Jesus died to provide us forgiveness for our sins when we obey the gospel and provide us the promise of eternal life if we are faithful until our deaths. I muse on the blessedness of His love and the blessedness of being a Christian so that death in this life is but a parting to eternal life with Him!
I miss my dear friends! But I would not desire their return to this life, knowing they devoted their years to preparing for that eternal life with God! Revelation 14:13 comes to mind for both of these souls. I’m sure they are at rest … and I thank them both for their examples of righteousness.