Published: September 09, 2008 03:27 pm            

The Yield: Faith holds key to understanding matters of life and death

Originally published in the September 5, 2008, print edition.

Thunder rolled across the sky. Rain came in torrents and then softened. I nestled down in bed returning to my early morning musings. The bed was warm and comforting.

Thoughts of a wonderful phone call brought peace. I dozed and thought of his kind words. “I know you have taken some ‘flack’ by remarrying,” Jim said. “I’m proud of you for seeing an opportunity for happiness and having the courage to take it.” Tears stung my eyes as I thanked him for calling.

Stan and I have enjoyed God’s blessings. As we pray together during meals and at night we are surrounded by joy, grateful to God for giving us a second opportunity for happiness in a marriage relationship.

Our home is little, kind of like a cottage. Paul Schaumberg and his friend Jim have shingled the house, built a new garage, plus designed and built a deck. New sidewalks make the journey from the street to the house much safer. We laugh thinking how we, as older folk, have considerations for creature comfort more so than beauty.

We want our home to be one where guests are welcome, so we planned meals for the carpenter and his crew. It was fun to prepare the food and sit down to good conversation and laughter. Paul brought meat from his various hunting trips: buffalo, elk, moose and fish. These were paired up with my fresh garden vegetables to make meals of pot roasts.

I can hardly believe where the summer has gone. Paul and Jim were faithful in being here at the same time, sometimes earlier and working late at night. Their workmanship is exemplary. We could not be more pleased.

I am becoming more at home in Blue Earth. I love the river and woodsy back roads where we ride motorcycle. The neighbors are friendly and kind. Stan’s sister and brother-in-law have a new motorcycle, so on Sunday afternoons we ride and stop along the way for coffee.

My mother-in-law died recently at the nursing home in Mapleton. We attended the funeral of one of our Sunday school teachers, Leona Bergemann, also recently. Her daughter, Kay, is a classmate and good friend. As we hugged just before the service, she said, “we’re the next generation now, it is our turn to face death and dying.”

I recall reading just such a statement not too long ago: “Each generation must work through the idea that they will die.” How do we do that kind of work? It began for me when my special Grandma Krosch died. I was fairly young and didn’t want to think about dying. Her big Bible had some of the secrets to her faith and life with God. But I had plenty of time.

Since Grandma’s funeral I have taken the time to know my God. It gives me comfort. Sometimes I cannot wait to be with the Lord. Then He gently reminds me He has more for me to learn and more for us to do.

Another of our classmates (17 in all) died in early August. That is two in the last two years, so we are down to 15.

I am glad I have taken time to know my God through His Word and the telling of His plans of redemption. What great love!

For the free gift of eternal salvation is now being offered to everyone; and along with this gift comes the realization that God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and live good, God-fearing lives day after day, looking forward to that wonderful time we’ve been expecting when His glory shall be seen, the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13

        

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