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Thursday, February 19, 2009

It All Comes Down to Him

For this reason I also suffer these things;
nevertheless I am not ashamed,
for I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded
that He is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto Him against that day.
II Timothy 1:12


The other day I heard a pastor on the radio share a true story of a woman who had spent her entire life memorizing God's Word. She was able to recite entire chapters of Scripture and always had an encouraging Word to share with anyone with whom she conversed regarding the wonders and faithfulfulness of her Lord.

There came a point in her life when her memory began to fail her and she was shortly diagnosed with what many refer to as "The Long Goodbye." She had Alzheimer's Disease. She still was able to recite verse after verse, but with each day that passed she remembered less and less.

As she neared the end of her life, she focused on the verse from the second book of Timothy, "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

The days wore on and her mind grew more feeble. She would recite over and over again, "and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." Time passed and soon she was heard repeating, "He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

By this time, her family had placed her an an assisted living home for people who suffer from Alzheimer's Disease as she required round the clock care. She still shared God's Word whenever she could and as she grew weaker and weaker would whisper the words, "that which I've committed unto Him."

As her time on this earth drew to a close and she was so weak that she was unable to move or even turn her head, her family bent low to listen to her weakened, whisperered speech as she repeated over and over, "I've committed unto Him."

Finally, on her dying day, her son leaned over to hear his mother whisper, "Him." That was her last repeating word...."Him."

That's what it's all about isn't it? In the end, it all comes down to Him. This wonderful woman of God reduced all that she knew of God's Word, all the chapters and verses and hours of sharing His Word with others down to one very simple, but very important truth: Him

True story.

May you be blessed today....and may your heart have at its very core that which is most important in this life. That which never left the mind of a dying child of God. The One Person who holds your very life in His hands.

Him.

9 comments:

Margie said...

GREAT POST!! i have goosepimples!

Char said...

Beautiful testimony. This is the chorus to one of my favorite hymns: "for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day"
It is, indeed, all about HIM!!

Pat said...

OK, now I need a kleenex.
How beautiful is this?
It is all about Him. I wish the entire would would embrace this truth. It's a wonderful hope, but at the same time it makes me sad for those who refuse to acknowledge the Lord. We must pray and be a living witness that the world would want what we have....Jesus.

Mrs. Mac said...

Just the basic truth that woman had. One word, Him, said it all. This story gave me Jesus bumps. Thanks for sharing.

Jada's Gigi said...

Wonderful story...sometimes I think I'm there... nothing but Him...that is after all...enough

Trish said...

This reminds me of my beautiful Mom-in-law. Alzheimers could not steal her Lord from her...she could still sing every word of some old hymns. And the Holy Spirit was ever present as she would raise her hands and say "Oh, precious Jesus I thank You for Your love, Your mercy and grace. There were moments of pure clarity when she would look into our eyes and say"this isn't living I just want to go home and be with the Lord!" It was so Awesome...I know He never forsakes His children...NEVER!

Trish said...

This reminds me of my beautiful Mom-in-law. Alzheimers could not steal her Lord from her...she could still sing every word of some old hymns. And the Holy Spirit was ever present as she would raise her hands and say "Oh, precious Jesus I thank You for Your love, Your mercy and grace. There were moments of pure clarity when she would look into our eyes and say"this isn't living I just want to go home and be with the Lord!" It was so Awesome...I know He never forsakes His children...NEVER!

Constance said...

Isn't that just simply amazing?
Connie

KayMac said...

I am taking my sandles off...holy ground!