One just never knows...

Yesterday was a regular day at worship; well, not really... our missionary from New Zealand was here, and he was scheduled to speak. But other than that, it was just another Sunday. Well, no. We'd moved 2nd Sunday birthday lunch to the 3rd Sunday because of Mother's Day, but other than that - no biggie. My back was bothering me, so I didn't do my pew-hopping before services or even read the screen of announcements; I felt pretty blah... then Wes did the greeting, and Bobby got up to read off the prayer requests and last-minute announcements. Half-listening, I heard him say, "And we are happy to announce that on Thursday, **** ***** was baptized for the remission of his sins.!" You could hear people gasp, and I immediately turned to look at Jackie. She was literally shaking in her pew, crying her eyes out, and the auditorium erupted in clapping.

Why the hoopla over one soul? (I know that's a silly remark - there is much hoopla over every single soul!!) This man has attended worship here every week since before Andy and I moved back; 1987 - and had told countless concerned members that he did not need to be baptized. His wife sat steadfastly beside him, and ministers preached directly "at" him all these years, to no avail. Yet, Thursday night, he gave his life to the Lord with only those he loved around him. Why now... who "got" to him after all this time?? He always said his saintly mother had never been baptized, and if she wasn't going to be in Heaven, then he didn't want to be there without her.

However, there is one thing that can change a person's mind when nothing else can. He has cancer, and it's not going well. I heard that he is going to begin a new treatment and no more chemo, and that is what made him take the step.

It doesn't matter why. It doesn't matter when, in the long run. As of Thursday, all those denials became moot, and he realized that he DID need the Lord's salvation. So we all cheered, and clapped, and hugged him. He stood by, stoicly, a sly grin on his face, taking in everyone's well-wishes. God waited patiently until he took the step, and now all is well with his soul. He can face anything now.