What the heart and the soul can bear.
Yesterday got back to the church and was met at the door. “Did you hear the news? L was killed in a car accident”. One of those much loved people who does so much for others. Has led worship for Church of the Nations a few times. She and her husband have hosted English Conversation several times. Still working in real estate. We are stunned and devastated. Visited her daughter and family on the way home.
And now this morning as well. Jean Barrett and her husband left Baton Rouge all the way back in January so she could receive treatment for leukemia at M D Anderson in Houston. Four rounds of different kinds of treatment – including stem cell(?) transplant(?) which was rough. Got her leukocyte count down to 1.
But not zero.
Saw her and Bob a couple weekends ago. Not doing too well. Called her last night and at first I could not understand her. Clearly she was exhausted so I kept it short and said would call again later. Could I come out to Houston to visit after Thanksgiving? Yes that would be fine.
Some time during the night she fell asleep in the Lord – the phrase I prefer to use now. “Died” is not bad and is accurate. I am not a fan of “pass(ed) way”. To sleep in the Lord is the biblical expression and also well used in Christian tradition.
She and her husband were stalwart faithful ministry volunteers with Church of the Nations for the last few years. She coordinated English Conversation for at least two. Attended worship with our international congregation.
Frankly I did an inexcusably poor job of ministering to her and the family these last 10 months. Did not call every week. Visited them once in Houston – no wait twice. This will go down as an F in my pastoral care report card.
And yesterday before I got to the church I visited an elderly woman who may not live much longer. Hospice has been helping her. She has not eaten since Monday(?) which is usually a strong sign that death is near.
And I am supposed to head to New Orleans tomorrow morning. Need to finish sermon and other things today by about 2:00 p.m. Words fail. Remember my own sermon from a few weeks ago.
The central prayer of the Christian life and of the Christian church is “Lord have mercy”.
