 |
| Laura Nisly (1935-2005) |
Through the years, others have seen the grace with which you endured the pain of crippling arthritis and the debilitating effects of cancer and a weakened heart. Perhaps some might have thought this was a public face which you presented. But as one who lived with you day in and day out, I testify that you lived your life with integrity, with wholeness. You were no Pollyanna always mouthing pieties that wouldn't have satisfied either of us, but you lived your life with strength, dignity, grace, and hope. I have recently discovered that you daily prayed with John Henry Newman, "Lord, shine through me, and be so in me that every soul that I come in contact with may feel your presence in my spirit." I believe that your prayer has been answered.
I miss you more than you can imagine: the twinkle in your beautiful brown eyes; your quiet sense of humor — even when you were ill; your listening ear to my stories of school or church; your solid counsel; your unfailing word each time before I preached, "I hope it will go well."
But now we must release you, dear Laura, and with a Scottish poet I say,
| |
The shade of death lies upon thy face, beloved,
But the Jesus of grace has His hand round about thee;
In nearness to the Trinity, farewell to thy pains,
Christ stands before thee and peace is in his mind.
Sleep, O sleep in the calm of all calm
Sleep, O sleep in the guidance of guidance,
Sleep, O sleep in the love of all loves;
Sleep, O beloved, in the Lord of life,
Sleep, O beloved, in the God of life. |
|
And in the words of another Paul, I conclude with words I offered in the hospital very early Wednesday morning: "You have fought a good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith, and henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness."
Amen, Amen
Previous | 1 | 2
