Everything

Mom called this morning with a self-described word from the Lord.

She told me a story, some parts of which I had heard before but some of which was new to me.

Early in my parent’s marriage, mom’s brother, Mel and his family went to Thailand as missionaries.  The left without the support of the Apostolic Christian Church  (AC) of which they were a part in Francesville, Indiana.  Nevertheless, my mom and dad, along with some others in their A.C. congretation in Cissna Park, Illinois, asked the church elders if the congregation would lend financial support to a Vacation Bible School program that uncle Mel and aunt Arlene (a former member of the Cissna Park church and Dad’s first cousin) were planning to hold in Thailand.

When the elders said, "No", Mom and Dad went to speak with the head elder, who happened to be dad’s uncle Ezra.  My mom stayed mostly silent during that meeting; but dad and uncle Ezra locked horns.  It was not pleasant. 

The request for money was only the immediate issue over which they disagreed.  Mom and Dad, along with others, were increasingly discontent with what they saw in the attitudes, actions and rules of the wider Apostolic Christian Church denomination, which consisted of several dozen congregations.  For example, Uncle Mel was excommunicated for having shared communion with Christians outside of that church (a no-no) while preparing for the mission field at Bible school.  (Another no-no.)

This was hard for my dad.  His 12 living siblings were all members of the Apostolic Christian Church.  His dad and grandpa where still alive and active in that church.  He had just had an argument with his uncle!  Yet, at the same time, he was becoming increasing uncomfortable with the pride, the exclusivity and many of the doctrinal teaching of the church.

So, feeling angry that he was stuck between his family and his convictions, he lashed out at mom after the meeting.  He blamed her for the problem. After all, it was his wife’s brother who had started all this.  It was Mom and Mom’s family that had started this “schism”.  Indeed, many of mom’s siblings had already left the Church.  It was mom who had urged Dad to confront the wrongs.

In his anger, Dad was harsh in his words to Mom, that night and in the days to follow.  Mom felt terrible.  She felt all alone and totally worthless.

That is when the Lord suddenly asked her, with words as if spoken to her physical ears, “Are you willing to do anything for me?”

She said, “Yes.”

The next day, Dad continued venting his anger to Mom.  The Lord then upped the ante for her, “Are you willing to give up even your husband, Cal?” 

When mom heard that question, she feared that the Lord might be preparing to take Dad’s life.  She was terrified.  But God reminded her of the verse in Luke 14:26, “"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple.”

Once again, Mom said, “Yes. Even Cal.”  Mom had completely yielded to the will of the Father.

Well, my Dad lived to the age of 94.  By then he had become one of the strongest Christians you will ever meet.  Mom and Dad have been richly blessed in many, many ways.  There were many tough trials in their lives after the events just described; but all of them “worked for their good” as they increasingly yielded their lives to God. 

I cannot wait to see what God has to say to them at the Bema, the Judgement Seat of Christ, before which we will all someday stand!  I have no doubt that they have affected the lives of thousands of people.

God has been faithful to my Mom’s obedience.  He will be for you, too, reader.  You will reap a harvest of reward for giving your all to Christ. 

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