SOFT CARESSES AT A FUNERAL
Milton, here:
Sunday after I got home from ministering at church, I told Kristy that I needed to attend a funeral that afternoon for a 3 month old infant, a grandchild of members of our congregation. Kristy had physically not been able to go anywhere except to doctors appointments for some time, but she said to me that she wanted to go with me. She loved this family and had great concern and compassion for them.
Her passion as a pastor's wife and her love for people were calling her.She was feeling better but it was a real stretch for her to go. She got dressed, but she was worn out in the process. As we traveled some 35 minutes to the funeral service, she recovered.
Noah, the little infant, was the very life of this family. As the service began, everyone was weeping and the pain of this tragedy was beyond description. We sat through the funeral listening, praying, and hurting for these dear church members. God’s love was reaching out to them in gently waves of tender compassion. Our Lord is the Holy Comforter.
As the service progressed, Kristy began to experience a chill and asked for me to put my arm around her, and I did. After a few moments, I instinctively began to rub and softly caress her arm.
Then I noticed it. Her tears began to trickle down the sides of her cheeks with greater intensity. She didn’t have to speak. She didn’t have to express a word. But I could feel her thoughts as we sat side by side--my arm around her.
She was remembering all the times that I had sat with my arm around her in so many different settings. The times she has told me how proud she was to be seen with me are beyond counting. The feelings and thoughts were piercing—knowing that except for a miracle our times like this are numbered.
Tears were streaming down the faces of everyone present. It was a tough but touching service of remembering and looking to our blessed hope in Jesus Christ.
But the tears flowing down our cheeks were added. They were added with hot tears realizing how priceless soft caresses really are.
How Is Kristy?
Today was her best day in well over two weeks. She is doing so much better. Her brother and sister, Terry and Rebecca, came in last night and Rebecca is staying until Thursday. Kristy is getting stronger and is not suffering with headaches or nausea.
Praise God for His goodness!
Thank you for your continued prayers for her and for us.
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 12:01 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
Our little country church in Oklahoma continues to pray . . . so glad that Kristy had a good day yesterday. Blessings to your whole family, and to this woman who is evidently a lighthouse for you all!
I have been praying for Kristy for a long time and will continue to do so. And We pray for her at our prayer group at our church on Monday nights. I am so glad to here she is getting stronger.
ginger
We pray the hearts of the parents, friends and family of little Noah will be wrapped in the love and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
We thank our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for healing Kristy of pain and nausea, and we wait for word of her miraculous healing, for His honor and glory.
What I learned from this blog, Kristy and Milton, is that you treated one another with love and respect every day. You didn't wait for illness to strike. Neither of you have to know the pain of regrets.
I thank you for being open and honest, for teaching us how to be better people. Better Christians. You've helped us remember that our tomorrow is not guaranteed--even without a doctor's diagnosis--and that we need to be Christ-like in every way, every day.
Much love to you both & continued prayers,
Nancy
Milton,
Kathleen Jackson and I would like to come up perhaps Saturday (or a Saturday) for a brief visit. Would Kristy be up to that?
Eva
Kristy & Milton:
What great faith you both have, what great comfort you take in knowing God is in control. Your ability to abide in Him and trust him wholly, yet show your brokenness, your fears, your sadness to all of us reading your blog is an incredible testimony to how God can still use those in pain to minister to those reading these blogs. Those who have a great faith are willing and able to share their pain with others in the body, so we may see how God holds you up when you cannot do so under your own power. May our almighty God comfort you and keep His warm blanket of rest upon both....
I feel like I know you both personally as I read your daily post and the tears stream down my face. I have been praying for you all and will continue to do so. Many times a day in situations the faith and love that you both have come to mind and I am reminded of what God is using you both to teach me, and I am certain many others. God bless you and keep you.
In His Grip,
MS
I'm so sorry about little Noah's death. What a tragedy for the family.
I was absolutely thrilled to hear Kristy has had a couple of good days. Still believing for a complete miracle of healing.
Today is a day for praise to Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is our companion. He's there, beside you, as your companion.
My Flip Dictionary gives these synonyms: attendant, friend, mate, partner - one Who is with you through all things.
May He continue to be ALL things to you. As always I pray for you in love.
Kristy, please speak these things over your body.
Jesus bore the curse for me; therefore, I forbid growths and tumors to inhabit my body. The life of God within me dissolves growths & tumors; and my strength and health is restored. (Matt. 16:19; John 14:13; Mark 11:23.)
Growths and tumors have no right to my body. They are a thing of the past for I am delivered from the authority of darkness. (Col. 1:13, 14)
Every organ and tissue of my body functions in the perfection that God created it to function. I forbid any malfunction in my body in Jesus’ name. (Gen 1:28, 31.)
Father Your word has become a part of me. It is flowing in my bloodstream. It flows to every cell of my body, restoring and transforming my body. Your Word has become flesh; for You sent Your Word and healed me. (James 1:21; Ps 107:20; Prov. 13:3.)
Your Word is manifest in my body, causing growths to disappear. (Mark 11:23; Matt. 17:20.)
Sicknesses MUST FLEE! Tumors can’t exist in me, for the Spirit of God is upon me and the Word of God is within me. Sickness, fear and oppression have no power over me for God’s Word is my confession. (Mark 11:23
Amen and Amen!!
Praise God for each stage of Kristy's recovery!
I see Kristy taking steps to healing.
That made me think of this song:
It's a highway to Heaven
None can walk up there
But the pure in heart
It's a highway to Heaven
Walking up the King's Highway
Then the many verses:
My way gets brighter
My load gets lighter
Walking up the King's Highway
There's joy in knowing
With Him I'm going
Walking up the King's Highway
Don't have to worry,
Don't have to hurry
Walking up the King's Highway
Christ walks beside me
Angels to guide me
Walking up the King's Highway
If you're not walking,
Start while I'm talking
Walking up the King's Highway
There'll be a blessing,
You'll be possessing
Walking up the King's Highway.
Each day Kristy is walking up the King's highway to His will and purpose for her life.
Thanks to you, Pastor Milton, and Kristy for being such blessings to the rest of us.
I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy;
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.
Hosea 3:19-20 (NKJ)
I read these words this morning and they really impacted me. To know that God considers Himself betrothed to each who call Him Lord shows me how committed He is to us, how faithful.
He is watching over you, Kristy, just as Milton your earthly husband has watched over you all these years and cherished you so much, God does even more than Milton. Hard to believe knowing how much Milton loves you.
I hope these words will comfort you today.
Patricia: I love that old song "Its a Highway to Heaven". What wonderful words.
Thanks to all for your love and concern. God's people are the best.
Milton
Dearest Kristi and Milton,
As I read through your blog daily, I am in awe of your faith and love for each other.
I pray to Him every day to heal Kristi. So happy she was feeling well yesterday.
Forever in my thoughts,
Arlene G.
Thinking of your family often...
"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms"
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Milton and Kristy, may you feel sheltered and loved today. God's family is praying for you and lifting up your arms as Moses's friends lifted his when he felt weary. Be encouraged.
Kristy, I'm holding you and your family tight in my prayers.
In Christ's Love,
Lisa
Post a Comment
<< Home