Henry, at age 75, had...
Illustration
Henry, at age 75, had not been in church for nearly sixty years. His family had invited him to attend with them nearly every Sunday. Often over the years, brief hospital stays would bring him into contact with a pastor. The results were always cordial but unproductive. One night the pastor was called at 3:00 a.m. by Henry's wife, Helen. She needed a ride to the hospital. Henry was in a coma and near death. As Helen and her pastor stood by the bedside of Henry, both wondered about his relationship with the Lord. In private prayer the pastor asked God to forgive his failure to talk directly with Henry about his salvation. He even prayed that it might be possible for him to be given an opportunity to do what he had failed to do. The night nursing staff asked the two visitors to step outside the room. They wanted to clean Henry's body before death came. Fifteen minutes later, both were once again beside the bed holding Henry's hands. Suddenly his eyes blinked and opened. His faint voice asked, "Pastor, what are you doing here?" Months later, Henry and Helen walked out of a holy communion service together with smiles on their faces. Helen whispered in the pastor's ear: "I have prayed for 42 years for this day. God has been good and gracious to us!" Henry overheard the whisper. His only comment was "Amen!" -- Reisen
