Our time at New Life had included singing, Blessed Be Your Name in which we affirmed our conviction that:
YOU give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Blessed be Your Name
On behalf of the family. Josh reminded us of the mother who fed her family applesauce on a train across Germany, and the wife who could practice the art of "driving sarcastically" when her husband became overbearing. More than that he honored her as a woman who had found the pearl of great price and laid claim to it, a daughter of the King who served in His Kingdom.
Then our old Ireland team leader Hunter Dockery took us in to Philippians 1 and talked about that gospel power which had transformed this girl so broken by the early years of her life into a woman of great freedom and creativity. He used Nancy's story to remind us that HE has the power to bring the rest of us safely home, too.
At her graveside we sang "Jesus, All for Jesus." She would have liked that because she loved songs that simply exalted her Savior.
This week one of her old friends reminded me that when she prayed with Nancy, Nancy would often pray, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus." That prayer was answered last week when he came to get her. That often repeated prayer had been answered much sooner than I would have selfishly wished, but it clearly fulfilled the desire of her heart.
Nancy's body now rests at the spot its earthly journey ended, until HE returns to reclaim it on that triumphant day. But, in another sense, our journey continues. What shape will it take? I don't have clue this morning, but I do believe "he who began a good work...will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus."
Pray for our family...and keep reading....you never know what the journey will bring. And clearly, the best IS yet to come.
8 comments:
I am so blessed by your blog. Keep writing as long as you're inspired to do so...I will keep reading and continue to be humbled at how God brings his people through the most painful of circumstances with unexpected moments of great joy.
Amy Lewis
Dan, thank you so much for sharing. I was sorry to have missed being there yesterday, but am so thankful for the sweet touches the Lord provided for you and everyone that came. I look forward to seeing how the Lord works through all of this from here on out. Thank you so much for your example, it heartens me.
Lots of love,
Larissa (Sudan team)
Blessed be the name, for sure! Keep writing, Dan, and we will continue to prayerfully follow THE JOURNEY!
You keep writing, we'll keep praying.
Rest my brother.
We're still basking in the glow of yesterday's warmth. One that was brought by the Spirit and continues to be worked out in our Kingdom koinonia. What a mercy and a gift.
We miss Nancy and can't believe that the days will go forward without her participating in them with us. Our hearts ache for you and the kids especially. You do have great kids!
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!
How I wished I could have been with you on Thursday. I hope you know that, and I think you do. We prayed for you here, halfway around the world, and we ache and mourn with you. Rose Marie, Jane W, Bob H. and I will keep praying for you, Dan, and we love you.
although i have several fond memories of nancy, the one that will stay with me is in hospice, with josh at her knee, the girls on either side of her and you holding her hand. such a picture of how it should be, amid things not the way they were meant to be.
love
judi
Dan,
I DO hope you'll keep writing! You word things so beautifully. Even in the midst of your sorrow and pain, your writings were such a blessing to others.
So, keep writing! Who knows? Maybe one day this journey will lead to publishing exerpts--that would reach (and bless) an even wider audience.
Blessings,
Kimberly Smith
The service was a taste of Heaven, Dan, as we celebrated Nancy with so many Old New Lifers!
Thankful to be included.
Sorry we missed Wed. I was/am sick with a bad cold.
Nan and David Powlison
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