I just got back from a walk along the Bitterroot River. The river is bank-full, moving in silence and power as it floods some of the paths through the forest along her banks. On the other side of the river the snow-capped peaks of the Bitterroot Range jut into a clear blue sky, in places touching the castles of white clouds above the mountains. Sadie the Aussie Shepherd romped and splashed through the woods and margins of the river. Her simple joy and simply being in that magnificent setting renewed my perspective. I had to come to terms with the news of Rams4Life's death
When I first read your report, Steve, I had an immediate chill and surprised myself with a long and loud "Nooo." I couldn't organize my thoughts into words, then, and am still not sure that I can, but I'll try.
I don't know where Bud stood with God. I do know that that relationship changed in his last days. Behind his apology for being negative and cranky there were two things: One, a tender heart, regardless how strong the exterior, that didn't want to offend. Two, although unsaid, there was a plea for help.
At that point, from many of us, he received assurances of prayer going up on his behalf, and encouragement to seek out and place his trust in the comfort of a God who loves him and would bring him peace and comfort. We answered the call, and as tender hearts are vulnerable as his was then, he received the message. We were the messengers. Not that we should pride ourselves - quite the opposite. It is humbling to be used in that way, to be messengers not of our selves, but of God.
It's one thing to be emotionally touched by someone's words. It's something of greater magnitude to be moved spiritually, beyond the spoken or written words themselves, and ushered, even for moments, into the living presence of God. That's where we left Bud.
Bud let us know he was so moved. He was touched beyond the football-buddy cameraderie that we all share. We reached beyond that with message of prayer for him, and beyond that by our prayers themselves. He knew God's love in his final messages with us; and all the way through his coma and passing. He's is in the full eternal presence of that love now; his suffering, doubts, and fears behind him
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2023 12:02PM by mtramfan.
