Yesterday Northeast Louisiana Food Bank distribution continued at Forsythe Avenue Church of Christ. Ken and Pam Dorsey, assisted by several folks from Forsythe, have done a great job of making this happen. I’m not sure how many evacuees have been by, but it’s a pretty good number. They will be present today again. The Christian Chronicle ran some information about the work, which was kind of them.
Regular readers may remember a month or so ago I wrote a little post about Aunt Bea’s Kitchen and had a picture of Frank, Bea, and Tiffany. Several locals decided to eat a meal there based on that post, and that was encouraging. However, I guess we came along and it was too little too late. Aunt Bea’s closed a few weeks ago. Frank had a knee surgery last month. His surgeon was one of our members, Dr. Sol Graves. Yesterday he saw Dr. Graves and had his stitches removed and the conversation turned to me … and the loss of our son John Robert.
As I was leaving the church building yesterday afternoon the tropical storm winds and rain were really starting to pick up. I locked the door and turned around to see a white SUV pulling underneath the carport near me. The window rolled down and it was Frank. After a minute of small talk, he informed me that he had just heard about our son and had to come over and see me. Frank was grateful that I tried to help his buisness and brought them some joy while we were hurting so badly. He indicated that many people did not know what that kind of hurt felt like – but he did. He passed through the window a picture of a handsome young man … his son … who died 20 years ago at age 15.
Now Frank is a talker, and he told me all about the accidental and unexpected death of his son. This was followed months later by the loss of his mother. He talked to me about leaning on God and how a man couldn’t make it through that without God propping him up. Then Frank sang a song to me. I think the lyrics went something like ‘if a man can’t make it through the storm, God is not his captain‘, but I can’t be sure at this point. I don’t know if I can tell you what an electric moment that was. With the wind howling, the rain blowing around, and this brother who has been through the nightmare of losing a child singing a song of faith to me. I felt that God’s Spirit was so alive in that moment.
I showed him pictures of John Robert and then we had to say goodbye. But I really believe that encounter is one that I will remember in days to come. I think it will be one of those flashes of memory that shows up from time to time unexpectedly. Though their restaurant is closed, they fed my soul yesterday afternoon while I was standing in the storm.
Please pray for my mom and dad. After evacuating to Vicksburg, Mississippi, he had to be taken to the ER and put in the hospital with pneumonia. Any hospital stay is unhappy, but to be out of town and in the hospital is even worse. This is a terribly stressful time for both of them.
Tonight I’ll be speaking at White’s Ferry Road in their series in which they have had ministers from the area speak for the past few months. I’m looking forward to that very much.
Thanks for reading,
John
God speaks to us through the most unlikely messengers doesn’t He? I am really glad that you and I were able to share a meal at Aunt Bea’s and some conversation with Frank before they closed the doors for good.
Finally, some good preaching at WFR (If Alan or Mike read this…I am joking) The more accurate thing to say would be “More good preaching..”.
John, your endless optimism, gentle spirit, and warm smile, have been a welcomed addition to my life. God is good to give me one more friend with whom I can share His goodness.
Royce
John, I am so glad you had that moment of blessing.
Oh John, you have just put a face to that whole “comforting others with the comfort we have been given” thing. I am still wiping the tears. One other thing God has been showing me lately is how perfect his timing is. Your story is another example. Makes me wonder why we question him so much sometimes!
I pray you continue to be blessed and comforted in the days to come.
God’s Spirit ministers to us in so many ways…thanks for sharing this with us.
We need more Franks (and Johns) in this world. People willing to dig up past hurst to minister to current pain.
Loved the story.
The fact that he had to search you out to share in that moment is a testament to Frank. Great story! Thanks for sharing that encouragement.
Well, Frank and his song made me cry! What a blessing, and how precious that you each were able to bless the other at different times. Hate that Aunt Bea’s had to close…
John,
That made me cry! How special to have a dear brother like that. I am sure it blessed him to be able to share his story and pain with you. We never know why we go through some trials, but down the road I believe God always lets us know that we can use those trials to bless another if we keep our eyes and our hearts open to those opportunities. Praise God for those special people. Your dad and mom continue to be in my prayers.
Love,
Linda
John what a blessed moment you had in the midst of the storm. Thanks for sharing that story of shared grief. It is always good to have someone share a life event of that nature. I hope that the wound in your heart was comforted for the moment.
John, Thanks for sharing this. I have been reading your blog lately and appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for showing us God’s Love in this post.
john, what a tremendous story! I too was moved to tears. I assume you weren’t enertaining an angel, but certainly a messenger from God.
Oh, John! That made me cry. GOD is good!
I don’t check the Blog everyday, but you know you and Margaret are always in our hearts. We love and miss you both.
Please let us know how your parents are doing.