A Victorious Moment

A Victorious Moment


Tonight as I sat with Dawn, holding her silky soft hand and stroking her still long and beautiful blonde hair, I couldn’t help but be angry as I viewed the abrasion on her cheek. Here she lays this woman of God, facing her last moments on earth in a body riddled with cuts, bruises, abrasions, and disease, all of them constant reminders of the frailty of the human body. This body was not the one that had been used so mightily on so many occasions for the glory of God. No this body was one riddled with the marks and scars that come from being trapped in an earthly tent while being subjected to the trials and tribulations of this world. Her inner body now consumed by this terrible disease called cancer, even though unseen for the most part it has now made itself known largely by the distention in her stomach region. Her face scarred by a fall, as her body failed her while doing all she could to not be a burden to her loved ones. A plethora of bruises all received as her body tricked her in to thinking she had the strength she needed yet without warning her knees would buckle and send her falling in pain to the ground. And if that was not enough, this very body which had now confined her to her bed is left with the marks of this confinement in the form of horrifically painful bed sores. Now do you understand why I felt angry? Let me explain if I may the true source of my frustration. You see the condition of Dawns body was quite simply a prime example of what satan does to all mankind. A prime example of how he desires and does treat every single person who he maintains control over. Every person who places their trust in the deceiver and thief of souls will find themselves faced with much the same if not worse treatment as well. You see he loves to deceive, he loves to destroy, and he loves to blame others in the process, and given the opportunity he will do just that. However in Dawn’s case his plans were foiled, oh yes he may have had some temporary joy in her misery, but the key word here is temporary. For you see at 11:20 pm on Tuesday evening the 18th of May 2010 Dawn left that broken body and met Jesus face to face! And no matter how difficult satan made it, no matter how much pain, frustration, fear, anguish, or any of a number of negative emotions he inflicted, he was unable to dissuade Dawn or anyone else from believing the truth. As a matter of fact many came to know Jesus as their personal savior as a result of Dawn’s suffering and perseverance through it. For all intense and purposes his plans backfired upon him, just as they always do when faithful people face hopeless situations by placing their trust in God, and their hope in Jesus. I would ask today that you consider lifting our children and our family once again before our Lord each time you think of us. While we have loaned our Mother, Friend, Wife, Patriarch, Mentor, Companion and Lover to the Lord for safe keeping for a time and knowing that she is in the safest and greatest of hands, our hearts are broken. There are now holes and gaps in those places that Dawn’s presence once filled, and while the Spirit of God will fill them there is no worldly replacement for the physical presence of a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, mentor, and leader such as Dawn. Yes we will miss her, no we will never forget her, and yes no one could ever replace her, and in honor of her if for no other reason, our faith in God will grow stronger with each passing moment of each and every day! I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for every prayer, word of encouragement, meal, flower, gift of time, gift of labor, financial assistance, rides, and so much more, that we have received, we count ourselves truly blessed by each of you even in the midst of our sorrow. Your love and devotion is like a salve to a wound, providing soothing comfort each time it is applied, just as the Lord Himself provides us with His healing touch each time we cry out. Without Him we would suffer and perish, and with Him, and because of Him we will rule and reign forever with eternal peace and joy!

Gene Burroughs Pastor