I will continue my thoughts on Moses next Sunday morning, but I wanted to share this powerful story I read last week—
“When I entered, the thick shades in the family room were pulled tight. Harvey was propped up on a makeshift bed. Ever the cowboy, he was wearing a faded pair of Wranglers. “Thanks for coming,” Harvey said. “Glad to do it,” I said. “You got everything you need?” “I do.” “Alright, then.” “Give me a second and we’ll get started.” On the coffee table beside Harvey’s bed I laid a piece of cloth, on top of which I placed a Bible, a small glass of wine, and a tiny silver dish with a wafer of bread on it. I remember a few of the things I said to Harvey that day. I remember reading a psalm and a passage from the Gospels. We confessed our sins together, and I put my hand on his forehead and pronounced the Lord’s forgiveness upon him. I spoke a few words to try and encourage him, assure him of God’s mercy. And, having repeated what Jesus said in the upper room to his disciples, I took that piece of bread, held it to Harvey’s mouth, and placed it inside, saying, “The body of Christ for you.” And I took the glass of wine, held it to his lips, and let him drink it, saying, “The blood of Christ for you.” Yes, I remember a few of the things I said to Harvey that day. But I’ll never forget what he said to me. As I prayed a final petition and prepared to leave, Harvey grabbed my hand, held it tight, and said, “Thank you, Lord, for coming to see me.” Out of the mouths of babes. And dying men. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a moment of greater clarity in my life. This is the way things are in the kingdom of God. Inside an Oklahoma farmhouse, with a man days from death, the Lord was present not only to talk to him but to touch him, feed him, pour into his mouth the wine of new creation. It was like I wasn’t even there. Only Jesus and Harvey. Only our Father and his child. One last time here on earth before that old cowboy rode away into a paradise awaiting him.”
Bird, Chad. Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places (pp. 159-161). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.