Saturday, July 28, 2007

Becky

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Considering the pain I felt at her death, it seems odd that I only met Rebecca Lee once. There are some people who are so sweet and sincere that they find that secret path deep into your heart as soon as you get to know them. Becky was one such person.
The first time she was surrounded by people of God, the holy Ghost fell on her, even though she had never been taught about the way of the Spirit. She just belonged to God, and as soon as she learned of the baptism of the holy Ghost and met people who had it, she received it.
I was not there that night, when Becky was born again. I had to wait until her next visit to NC, in May of this year, to get to meet her. When I did, I well understood how it was that the saints here had fallen so deeply in love with her the first time she came. She had planned to make another trip to be with us at the beach this summer, but God decided otherwise, and she died yesterday, the end of her life-long struggle with Cystic Fibrosis. Everyone around here felt as if we had lost a life-long friend, or even more accurately, a very dear family member. As I said, considering the pain I felt at her death, it seems odd that I only met Becky once.
It isn’t often in life that we are blessed to meet a person like Becky. Now, all we can do is (1) live according to the will of God so that we will be permitted to see and love Becky again, and (2) take advantage of the opportunity we have now to love the ones who are still here with us.
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From Brother Damien this morning:

Pastor John
As it was, yesterday afternoon, I checked my email barely a minute after you sent the email saying that Becky had died about ten minutes previous. I had prayed that day that whatever happened would be quick, that God would do something. I told Kay, and then we waited. Afterwards, I sat on the front porch listening to the storm to the east. No rain, just lots of thunder. I really felt God in the sound - He chooses everything: here not there, this way not that way, this one and not that one.
I have not had many people around me die thus far in my life, and I believe I know where all of them are now. Becky is the first person I know that I am certain is now with the Lord. What love God has shown us these past four months through her! Thinking of her being with the Lord did something to me as I talked with Kay about it. For the first time, I felt just a part of what you feel when you talk about having “more over there than here.” It produced a greater desire for that reward; somehow it became more real, and there was a greater desire to be ready when the time comes.
It felt so good to realize that it was all over for Becky. Now she is with the Lord, already experiencing freedom from all of this life on Earth. Reading her website (www.takeadeepbreath.tv) gave me more insight into her suffering and how she endured in her life. If we are right with the Lord, all we have to do is die, and then we are with him. That is all that matters.

Damien

1 comment:

  1. John,

    I was talking to Jesus...

    "Oh God, you took Becky home- Beulahland- sweet home of the soul. You have put her in my heart forever, thank you Jesus, thank you God.

    I remember the first time I saw Becky at Sheila's, sitting on the floor crying and praying while Darren sang. Then, ever so quickly, Jesus gave her the Holy Ghost! It was the most beautiful sight, but more than that, God had put her in my heart. I cannot tell the feelings, but to say they were more than special.

    Thank you Lord for giving Becky the second set of lungs so that she could live to find out about you and receiving life eternal in the Holy Ghost that Jesus sent from heaven.

    My last memory of Becky was Sunday evening, when we all went outside while Pastor John told us about God being in everything for our good, beckoning us. It was so wonderful, so rich. We were all so overwhelmingly blessed. As I watched Becky, her hands raised to Jesus, I knew in my spirit this might be the last time to embrace her. When I did, I could not let go of her for the feelings of how very loved she was by Jesus and God.

    I am praying may her family, they they all may have the desire to know Becky's God, her Jesus, her Comforter. Put that desire in their minds and hearts, Oh God!

    I love this in Isaiah 62:1-5, 10, 11, and 12.

    Love,
    Carol
    ====

    Thanks, Carol. I remember what Beckty said the Lord told her when we werea ll praying in my backyard. "The body you have is perfect for you, because I gave it to you." There was not the first ounce of bitterness in Becky for all the suffering she had been through. She certainly was not infected with this generation's disease: "Ima-pitiful-victim-itis". What beautiful spirit she had!

    Pastor John

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