Late one afternoon, I received a call at the parsonage that Sarah’s sister had died. It was a big deal for Sarah because her sister was also her room-mate at the rest home that both of them called home. It was a big deal for me because it was my first death call as a pastor. As a new pastor and as a 20 year old young adult, death was not something I was very familiar with. Oh, yes. I had attended the funeral of one grandparent and I had known the death of a couple of peers during high school. Yet, I was awkward around death just as I was at the fact that many people in that rural community called me “preacher”.
I knew enough to make my way to see Sarah at the nursing home as her pastor. Nursing home staff showed me to where Sarah was in the nursing home. (She was not in her room as the staff and funeral home folks were doing what they had to do.) Of course, I offered my sympathy to Sarah on the death of her sister. Clumsily, I made small talk with her. After a few minutes, I asked what would be meaningful to her and she asked me if I would read Psalm 23. I can still remember when I got to part in the Psalm that says “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me….” I looked over at Sarah and I saw tears streaming down her face. After I read Psalm 23, I offered to have a prayer with Sarah and she gladly consented. I do not remember the substance of my prayers, and any words that I prayed. What I remember most is that I was there with Sarah in her hour of need seeking my best to be a pastor.
My first death call as a pastor happened almost 50 years ago. That kind of call as a pastor has been repeated many times since then. What I learned that day is that the best thing that you can give someone in their hour of need as a disciple of Christ Jesus is not some “magic words” but your presence. As Gibran said many years ago: “You may forget those people you laugh with, but you will never forget those you cry with.” Have a joy-filled week.- Pastor Randy Wall
PRAYER
-- O God, thank
you for the truth that you are with us in our good times and our bad
times. As a follower of Christ
Jesus, give me the courage and wisdom to
be your ambassador to those
I encounter who are in need of
your love; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
