PPT — Addendum…FRED…

Today I met Fred.  He is sweet.  He was sitting in his wheelchair at his bedside with a lovely lady named Nancy reading the Bible to him.  He is probably 80, a recovering alcoholic, former chaplain to the jail here in town.  As Nancy is reading,  Fred has closed eyes, the nasal cannula giving him some oxygen and he is taking it all in, the oxygen and the Word.  We were quiet until Nancy finished reading the passage.  He was happy to see us, but very tired.  He likes to know what your name is and even has a book about names, so that he can look up what your name means and he remembers.  He is a child of God.  A precious, child, who has lived a full life and continues to love His Father.  What a privilege it is to meet him.  Bridget told him that her great niece, Hannah, prayed to ask Jesus into her heart day before  yesterday and how he rejoiced.  I thought he was going to come up out of that chair.  Sometimes we grow complacent about things.  Not Fred.  Then as Nancy was getting ready to leave, something small happened that I will never forget…what a wonderful salutation….Nancy said, “Fred, Trust in the Lord with all your heart”, Fred replied, “Lean not on your own understanding”, Nancy, “In all your ways, acknowledge Him”, Fred, “and He will make your path straight…..”.  That is the most beautiful way to say “See ya later, Fred.” that I have ever heard…