April 09, 2007
The call Ed never wants to get...
This morning I received a call from a friend of ours here in town. Someone we've been building a relationship with since we arrived in town. Truth is, she does more for us than we do for her. The other day, jokingly, I said to Vania, maybe she's trying to convert us.
Truth is, we love her. She really is a good friend.
Still, this morning I got a call from her. Her grandfather was in the hospital with late stage cancer. He's 83 and the doctors say this is it. The family, a non-church going family, didn't know who else to call, so she called me. I can't stand hospitals, but God's giving me a special grace for them. Worst, I hate hospitals and death, but God's giving me grace upon grace.
I went, took some extra medicine, just in case, and spent some time with the family. It was like walking into my grandmother's room just before she passed away four years ago. He's at the point where he spends more time unconscious than conscious. He's not at a place where he can communicate anymore.
The family, obviously in pain, but obviously aware of eternal things, asks for help. "Can you do anything?" I read some scripture, I prayed. "Thank you, but Can you forgive his sin?"
Can you forgive his sin? The question weighed down my heart as I didn't know what to say. I mean I know what the right answer was. And so I was speechless for a moment. I prayed again. But I know it was not what they were looking for. I couldn't give them what they were looking for. They were very appreciative for my time there, and no doubt this could lead to a deeper relationship. But they were looking for the same peace the thief on the cross looked to Jesus for. For a moment they expressed faith for someone else. But I've always been told, I've always taught, not good enough. I wish there was a Bible story we could draw from at a time like this. A time where grace wasn't offered because it was too late. I couldn't think of one.
Everything within me wanted to say, "Be at peace - through Jesus your faith has brought your grandfather eternal peace." Sounds like something Jesus might say. My theology says it's not and so my heart is broken.
There's a good chance many will feel I'm just not strong enough in my beliefs. It would be easy if it was that simple.
I don't really want to discuss this right now, so I will not leave this post open to comments.
Posted by ed