Many of you know of my father’s ongoing battle with stage four lung cancer. We are so grateful for the prayers and notes of encouragement that we have received. As I was reading through Arnold Dallimore’s excellent biography of Charles Spurgeon, I came across this passage taken from Susannah’s (his wife) book entitled Ten Years After, which was an account, among other things, of her ministry of distributing Charles’ books and sermons to ministers all over the world…a legacy that continues even today. It was her attempt at describing her life without Charles, who had died 4 years before that book was published. I pray that her perspective might be shared by Denise or me if God should call us home before the other.
I have travelled far now on life’s journey, and having climbed one of the few remaining hills between earth and heaven, I stand awhile on this vantage ground and look back across the country through which the Lord had led me…I can see two pilgrims treading the highway of life together, hand in hand–heart linked to heart. True, they have had rivers to ford, mountains to cross, fierce enemies to fight and many dangers to go through. But their Guide was watchful, their Deliverer unfailing, and of them it might truly be said, “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them and carried them all the days of old.”Mostly they went on their way singing; and for one of them at least, there was no greater joy than to tell others of the grace and glory of the blessed King to whose land he was hasting. And while he thus spoke, the power of the Lord was seen and the angels rejoiced over repenting sinners.But at last they came to a place on the road where two ways met. And here, amidst the terrors of a storm such as they had never before encountered, they parted company–the one being caught up to the invisible glory, and the other, battered and bruised by the awful tempest, henceforth toiling along the road–alone!But the “goodness and mercy” which for so many years had followed the two travelers, did not leave the solitary one. Rather did the tenderness of the Lord “lead on softly,” and choose green pastures for the tired feet, and still waters for the solace and refreshment of His trembling child.He gave, moreover, into her hands a solemn charge–to help fellow pilgrims along the road, therewith filling her life with blessed interest, and healing her own deep sorrow by giving her power to relieve and comfort others.
brett eubank | unfinished 