My Personal Testimony of God's Greatness Pt. 4

April 4, 2011

Myself and my brother Don were distraught when Rick passed...it wasn't expected and it was very sudden. Knowing God and our hope has given me a great deal of comfort though it still hurt tremendously. Don on the other hand, hadn't been to church in over 20 years, had lots of skepticism about the existence of God and perhaps even some anger over Rick's sudden death. He's been content living without God for a very long time. He too has a great deal of brokenness in his family.  

Within a day or two of Rick's passing, Don began questioning God. Asking why and what happened to Rick after he died. What is the purpose of life? etc. He desperately wanted to know that Rick wasn't suffering in the torment he remembers being taught about. He wasn't as close to Rick (a huge regret to him now) as he could have been since Rick came home. And so he didn't really know if Rick believed in God or where Rick stood on issues of faith. Which of course compounded Don's concerns.  

During this time of questioning God, Don relates of an experience he had (I won't go into the details) where he was told very clearly and specifically that Rick was ok. It brought him great comfort and has given his heart peace.  Two years ago, while sitting in church, my pastor asked us to prayerfully take a moment to seek God on who He would like us to invite to church for the upcoming Easter service. I did. And as I was praying, God brought my brother Don to mind and I knew that I was supposed to invite him. I knew he wouldn't accept the invite and I wondered why God made it clear that I was to ask him? I didn't question Him though (I've seen too much LOL) and I invited Don to join us at the Easter service. Indeed he declined saying that church just wasn't for him.  

Throughout the last couple of years, I have on occasion, invited Don as well as other friends, family members, etc. and sometimes some of them accepted my invite and some didn't. Each time however, Don was quick to change the subject or to dismiss the invite. I didn't pressure him, I merely asked and allowed him to make his own decisions.  The day of Rick's burial, Rick's daughter and her husband (the one who had come to visit back in the summer also came to the funeral), and some of us gathered here at my home to comfort one another. That night, I was inspired to give Don a dvd which was recently made by my church titled "Can This Be Church?" He reluctantly took the dvd. I wasn't even sure he would watch it. But....he did.  

Don has been attending church service with me ever since...for the first time in decades. His daughter attends when she can. He son has come the last two weeks. Don's kids were involved some years ago in their mom's denomination/church but for whatever reason were not consistent or too involved. God has been and continues to pull Don and his children closer to Him and I'm amazed to see the changes that are already taking place in him!  Rick's children are now all in contact with us in various ways. His oldest son, came down and spent time with us all during the few days after Rick's death. He also was here for the funeral with his wife. His two daughters (one we have not met yet, nor have I spoken to her on the phone as she is still very bitter) have access to and have had some contact with all of Rick's family. Both of them are pregnant (Rick knew this before he passed and was so excited to be a grandfather!) and due in a few months. 

Rick may not have had the opportunity to be in his children's lives, but God has made sure that the rest of us have opportunities...and I pray that we don't squander them.  I shared my vision with my family at the funeral home. They may have thought I was nuts but I know some of them also see the greatness of God, to bring about reconciliation and healing where we as humans, cannot.