Page 52 - Grace150 Devotional

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

We had been at Grace only a few months when we got the shocking news that
Chris, age 24 and our youngest, had a malignant tumor on his spine. Our previous
little church had closed, and we knew only a handful of people at Grace. Now
we were in a congregation with Sunday school classes larger than our previous
church! It was such a big place, and we hadn’t yet made close friends.
Chris however, made friends with Art Moser early on, and despite their age
difference of over 50 years, they soon developed a deep, abiding male bonding.
It wasn’t long before many in the church knew of our situation. As the cancer
spread and finally took Chris, Art and Millie Moser’s love, and that of a few key
others, along with the support of the pastoral staff, were great comforts to us.
However, it was the kind words and sympathetic glances from many people, most
of whom we hardly knew, that were not only unexpected, but very meaningful. You
could tell people were often unsure of what to say, and were even uncomfortable
approaching us to share their concern…but they did it. It was an uncoordinated,
and no doubt unrecognized, but collective ministry that Grace provided in the
early days of our life here. And it endeared this church to us in a way nothing
else could.
Lord, we thank You for Your ministry through the people of Grace for these
150 years, and pray that it will continue until Jesus returns.
– Ron Crowell

DAY 45 grace 150