With permission, an update from Rev. Ray David Glenn, of St. George’s, Lowville. Please continue to pray for him, his son Matthew and his wife Rhonda.

May 25th, 2010

Dear St. George’s Family,

It has been days since my last update. Although Rhonda has drifted more and more into longer and longer stretches of unresponsiveness, the days have been spotted with moments of love and tender exchanges. Again, I have not left my wife’s side. The slightest hand squeeze or gesture vindicates the hours I spend waiting.

Rhonda is not in any pain, and for this I am immensely grateful. I, on the other hand, am hurting deeply. At times like these words fail to capture the depth. Today is our ninth day in hospital. I sit beside her bed, lie in the bed holding her, hold her hand, recount memories of happier times and read her the comforting words of scripture.

Please continue to pray. Pray for Rhonda. Pray as the Spirit leads you. Close your eyes and begin by asking the Father how to pray. He will give you the words. Some of you are praying that Rhonda would be healed. This is faithful and good. Lazarus was in the tomb 4 days when Jesus raised him. Others are praying for a peaceful passing. This, too, is a faithful prayer.

How we live is important. Loving one another, following the way of Jesus and living with a keen awareness of our own mortality prevents us from wasting our lives. But I have been moved in the past few weeks to realize that how we die is of supreme importance. Our professed faith in Jesus is proved concrete when we stare cold death in the eye and see only Him – He who conquered death and paved the way to eternal life.

Let us pray, while we live in health, that we may glorify God in our end. Let us leave it to God to choose the where, and when, and how, and all the manner of our departing. Let us only ask that it may “glorify God.” He is a wise man who takes John Bunyan‘s advice, and keeps his last hour continually in mind, and makes it his company-keeper. It was a weighty saying of John Wesley, when one found fault with the doctrines and practices of the Methodists – “At any rate, our people die well.”
J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John. pp. 513-514.

Don’t waste your life. Don’t waste your suffering. Don’t waste your death.

Whether living joyfully, suffering or dying let your life show forth the reality of a living God who redeemed His people and has given life with meaning and life beyond the grave. Christians ought to live their lives in such a way that it would make no sense unless God were real.

God may heal Rhonda or her healing may lie on the other side. Either way rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks for all things and don’t quench the Spirit. God is a merciful Father who will sovereignly care for His beloved child Rhonda as He deems best.

And so I continue to sit by Rhonda’s bedside. My love for her is as deep as my trust in our Saviour and in His unshakable goodness. My love for you all grows deeper with each passing day, every email, facebook, text message and post to www.stgeorgesonline.com.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Waiting on Him,
RD