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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 6, NUMBER 15, APRIL 16, 2006 SITTING IN A HOSPITAL THINKING We all know and understand that our precious Lord, Jesus, died a horrible death so that we might have the opportunity to go to heaven. That alone should make us hate sin with a white-hot passion, an anger that causes us to rail against the Devil and all things that are “of” him. It should cause us to do all that we can with every ounce of our strength and determination to leave sin behind and to tell others how they can do the same thing. But we hear the story of the death of Christ so often and we commemorate it every Sunday. There is a danger that instead of having our hearts drawn to Him and broken with every consideration of that incredible sacrifice, it becomes commonplace and old-hat, and it doesn’t really affect us much anymore. That is a shame. Sitting in a hospital waiting for someone you love to die also ought to serve to make us cry out in frustration and anger at the Devil and sin. It is because of sin that death is in this world and it is there that we can hang our heartbreak and tears. Sin was introduced in Genesis 3, and with its advent into the world, access to the Tree of Life was lost. Genesis 3:6 is such a terrible verse for the story that it tells. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her: and he did eat.” Lest we look too disparagingly upon Adam and Eve, remember Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Another thought – God has given us a tremendous capacity for love. It is undoubtedly that which gives us the greatest joy in life, and it is also that which causes the most pain. It is so excruciating to watch a loved one go through the physical pain and trauma of passing from this life, but I think it is almost as painful to watch someone you love with all of your heart lose a family member. That’s not right, how can you compare it? All I know is that it hurts, and that is part of love. In this vein, think about God. John tells us in 1 John 4:7-9, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” God, part of whose very nature is love, knows how we feel at those “hospital” times. In perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible, John again emphasized the love of God. Remember John 3:16? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever . lieveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In an incredible passage, Paul wrote, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Oh, it hurts so badly to watch someone you love die! How did God do it? How did He send His Son, our blessed Savior, sinless, perfect, and love Himself, to die? How did He do it for those who hate Him and who by their sins made that death necessary? How did He do it for me? Another thought – brethren are wonderful. When life gets difficult, nobody jumps to your side any faster than faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. This past week I had to cancel a meeting two days before it was supposed to start. What did the brethren say? “We will be praying for you and Vicky.” How many prayers were offered? God alone could count. How many phone calls related to Bonnie were made? I couldn’t begin to tell. People we had never met in Clarkesville, Tennessee were suddenly as close as if we had known them all of our lives. In a way, I guess we had. They are brothers and sisters in Christ. Holly and Jim even offered to take care of Ozzy, our dog! Sometimes there are struggles among us, and sometimes those kinds of things have to be, but they pale in comparison to the comfort, strength, and encouragement that those who love the Lord can and do give. Another thought – what a difference a little kindness makes! A hug from a critical care nurse, a moment spent explaining things when you know that they have explained similar things to countless other families – yet they make you feel like you and your loved one are the most important people in that very moment in their lives. People in a critical care waiting room, just talking to one another, telling each other what is happening to their loved one, what brought them to that awful place, sharing a smile and a gentle touch. There is so much bad in this world, but there is a lot of good too. One sweet lady lost her mother while we were there. I ache for her. Another’s husband has been there for over 4 weeks, his appendix burst and he isn’t getting any better, but she is answering the waiting room phone, taking messages for others. As I write this I don’t know what is going to happen with Bonnie. But this much I do know – I am a blessed person. I have had wonderful parents and siblings, wonderful in-laws, great children, and the best wife any man could ever have. I sometimes get so frustrated in trying to tell her just how much I love her and how much she means to me. She is my life on earth, my love, and my best friend. My brothers and sisters in Christ have meant so much to me. In the darkest hours of my life, they have descended like angels to pick me up, to hold my hand, and to say “We love you.” Best of all, I have the Lord. He makes everything so special and He is with me even now. I have a wonderful life.
Greg Litmer
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