God's Grace in times of sorrow...

This has been a very emotional month for us all. It is the anniversary of my Father-In-Laws passing. One year ago today. Much reflection has taken place in all of our hearts this past week. Has the pain gone away? No. Have we ceased to mourn? No. Do we miss his gentle voice saying "Amen, Thank you Jesus."? Yes, with all our hearts we do!

Yet, even in this time we find God's peace, comfort and assurance. He is ever faithful in our time of need. Upon my time of reflection I recalled a conversation Dad and I had one night when I stopped over there before my bowling league, which I would do from time to time. He was about 2 months into the illness and was making several doctor visits with Gretchen. This is what he had shared with me.

One day he was at our local hospital leaving an appointment, when he meet this young lady in the elevator, they had engaged in light conversation and he was able to share the good news of the gospel with her. He told me that she didn't drop to her knees and repent right there in that elevator, but she did listen and the rest was up to Jesus. Then what Dad said to me next was such a shock because of the "Christian Post Modern Culture" we live in today. He said" Ya know, if I would never have never been ill with this cancer, I would never have been in that elevator sharing the gospel with that young lady".

Dad understood, he understood the sovereignty of God, he knew that the cancer didn't take God by suprise and that God's purpose according to his will, might stand. I never once heard Dad say, Why me? Why am I not being healed? Where is God in all of this? His response to me that night was, "I was able to share the gospel with someone in need"

Even in his biggest trial of his life, Dad said "Thank You Jesus".

I just thought I would share this precious story in memory of our Husband, Father, Brother and Grandpa, Thomas D. Griffore III. We miss you deeply.

God's unworthy servant in His unfailing love,

Bill