“Quiet down everybody! Quiet down! I’m going to pray now before we eat.” Doesn’t sound like a remarkable announcement, except it came from my brother-in-law Henry’s mouth at the Stoner Annual Corn Roast. At least four generations witnessed this declaration.
Ten years ago, Henry would rather be bitten by a snake than publicly declare, “I’m going to pray.” As host of the Corn Roast, Henry would regularly pause for prayer, but never proclaim he was going to say the prayer. He would pass the opportunity off to the “Rev.,” his brother-in-law Bill, or to his daughter, Susan.
TOO BUSY FOR GOD
Even at a young age, Henry was curious about Christianity. He had a favorite evangelist/Bible teacher he daily listened to on the radio. However, except for Easter and Christmas, Henry rarely sat in a church pew. Working two jobs to provide for his family and making repairs to his house, Henry was too busy for church.
Henry knows how to work and to work hard! It took him over a year, but he personally dug out the dirt floor of his basement in order to pour a cement floor. It may have taken several months, but he bought a kit and built an inground pool in his backyard. Maybe not “book smart” or skilled at proper grammar, Henry taught himself to fix or build most anything.
A BROKEN SON
The one thing he could not repair was his son, Henry Jr. (who we called “Little Henry”). From a young age, Little Henry exhibited learning and behavioral problems. Over the years, the struggles grew. By the time he was a teenager, the beloved son had a full-blown problem with drugs and alcohol. This tore at the hearts of Henry Sr. and his wife Julia. Henry Sr. could fix most anything, except for the heart of his son.
THE ACCIDENT
Then came the accident. Drunk and walking down the middle of a dark road, Little Henry was mowed down by a car. The driver never had a chance to avoid hitting him. Emergency services rushed to the scene and Little Henry quickly received medical care. The resulting injuries, especially brain trauma, were extensive. Days became weeks as family gathered and prayed for Little Henry.
A FINAL DECISION
The family pain intensified as a final decision had to be reached regarding life support. We gathered as a family when the doctor turned off the machines. This was not like the movies where the machines are switched off and the patient peacefully passes away. It took an additional painful two weeks before Little Henry took his last breath on Easter weekend.
TEARING DOWN THE WALL OF SEPARATION
This event tore open the curtain between Henry Sr. and God. All those Scriptures Henry Sr. heard over the radio began to bear fruit. The extensive nudging from his Uncle Phil regarding Jesus moved Henry Sr. from the spectator aisle in Christianity to the participant section. Henry started to pepper my husband with Bible questions. The Bible became Henry’s love letter from God.
TRANSFORMED HENRY
“Quiet down everybody! Quiet down! I’m going to pray now before we eat.” Those are the words of the transformed Henry Sr. They are the words of someone who anticipates an event far better than the Stoner Family Corn Roast. Henry Sr. is now ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING BRINGS NEW LIFE
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (II Corinthians 5:17)