Hands Held High

                He was a lonely boy in the service and she started writing letters to him to encourage him and to help mend his loneliness.  He was from the South and she from California. They had never met but a lady at church told her about him and told her that he could really use some letters. They corresponded via mail for several months.  She was something special and he knew it. He began calling her and they talked on the phone and they both started realizing this relationship that began with a pen and paper was growing into love, true love. They both expressed their desire to spend the rest of their lives together. Neither had seen the other but they both new for certain that their love was the real deal. He borrowed a car to go and retrieve his bride. He met her and her beauty only added to the love that he already had for her.

         

  This past November they shared their love story to my Sunday school class and Forest choked up as he told about the extreme faith that Liz's father, Mr. Ellis, must have had to let his daughter wed and move to the south with a boy that they had never met. Decades later and still their eyes lit up as they spoke of their love for each other. They shared funny and sweet newlywed stories. They shared of times when they had no money and they shared of times when the Lord blessed them richly. They shared how they cared for their 3 children and later how they cared for their aging, dying parents. At some points I had goose bumps listening to their words and other times I was wiping away tears. A precious couple full to the brim with love for one another but even more love for Jesus.


          On January 22nd Forrest was taken from this earth. It was a sudden and surprising death and it shook everyone that knew him to the core. He and Liz made servant hood a priority and the amount of people that they have served is truly unbelievable. He lived a life up until his dying breath that glorified God. The hole that he leaves in our church and in our community is a big one but I am certain it is small in comparison to the hole that is in Liz's heart. I had the privilege to attend Forrest's funeral and it was truly a celebration of Forrest's life and also a celebration of Forrest's new home. As we sang songs of praise I could see Liz, hands held high, eyes closed and she was looking to the heavens. The sight reminded me of the faith that she has in Jesus, in knowing that as painful and heartbreaking as losing her soul mate and best friend is that he is done. He lived a life that still continues to touch others and glorify God and now he is home resting in his Saviors arms. I also pictured Mr. Ellis, Liz's dad.  The day that Forrest took Liz to be his wife was a heartbreaking day for Mr. Ellis his baby girl was leaving home and going far away to live with a boy that he barely knew. I picture Mr. Ellis looking much like Liz did on the day she buried Forrest; hands held high, clinging to God's promises and looking to the heavens for comfort.

    May we all hold our hands up high, close our eyes and look to the heavens during good times and bad.  May we always remember that God is a faithful God. May we always know that this world is temporary and our permanent home awaits us. May we never stop living lives that are full of service and glorify God. May we all trust in God's words just as Liz is doing and as Mr. Ellis did.