Part 10 (1/2)

”Christina because of your steadfast trust in our G.o.d, angels are bending low with furrowed brows. They're curious about you. And when they see your declaration of G.o.d's truth and faithfulness, they gaze in wonder and awe. All of G.o.d's enemies are watching us and gritting their teeth in frustration that they're not able to get us to doubt our G.o.d. They're looking in awe at you, Christina, and saying, 'Oh, what a great G.o.d she must serve if He was able to subdue her with the force of His love. What a wonder He must be.'”

In the hospital, during her worst stages-the urgency, the weariness, and the sheer awfulness of her lying there drove Jim Ed to a place of desperation he had never been to before. He made regular visits down to the hospital chapel to pour himself out privately to G.o.d.

”G.o.d, I feel so helpless!” he often cried. ”Please, not Christina, G.o.d. Why her and not me? She's been so faithful to you! She loves you more than anyone I know!”

One night, disappointed and horror-struck, right there in that chapel, Jim Ed fell prostrate on the floor and wept until he had nothing left inside him but dry heaves and hoa.r.s.eness. He didn't understand why G.o.d allowed Christina to suffer; and just when he felt he couldn't go on, G.o.d came down and met him there. He made a choice to stand by faith despite what the circ.u.mstances were screaming. He knew G.o.d was alive and he would trust Him. He would fight the good fight of faith.

Jim Ed didn't want to just grit his teeth and endure till it was over, so he determined to gather up everything that was good in the middle of the pain. G.o.d was preparing both he and Christina for something great in eternity. Yes, he wanted his Christina healed and for the pain to stop, but he didn't want to miss the work G.o.d was doing in the situation by being bowled over with what he hated. Jim Ed knew that cancer was evil and G.o.d didn't cause that hideous sickness, yet he also knew that G.o.d was working in the midst of it, in spite of it.

Late one night, Christina was in dire pain and he didn't know if she was going to live or die. They' d had a steady stream of visitors, and now Will and his family were gone. Jim Ed was pacing around the room, crying to G.o.d, ”Lord, I praise You! We praise You! Christina, G.o.d's good. He's giving us grace and strength. Our Lord is right here with us.”

She' d nodded and whispered a moan of agreement.

Christina had been getting a special medication for her blood that helped ease her discomfort. Unfortunately, the negative side effect was loss of eyesight. When Christina sensed that time was short, she refused the medication so her eyesight could be restored before she pa.s.sed.

Day by day, hour by hour, Christina was weakening. The family knew the time was near. Her eyes were closed and Jim Ed, Will, and his family, and some close friends were gathered around her bed. Then, as if an angel cued them, they all began singing in unison. ”Ama...zing grace how sweet the sound,” their voices flowed out the hospital room and down through the hall, ”that saved a wretch like meeeee. I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I seeeee.” When they finished the chorus, everyone in the room, even the RN and nurse's aid, had wetness in their eyes.

At the end of the song, Christina's eyes barely slipped open. She turned her head, and holding her son Will's hand, she said, ”I see you, son. I see you.”

One by one those in the room kissed her forehead and said their goodbyes. When they were finished, she slowly turned to Jim Ed and lifted a trembling hand to caress his hair. ”I see you, my love,” she said.

With tears streaming down his cheeks, Jim Ed gently kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear, ”It's okay, just let go and fly sweetheart. Go on and see Jesus and your Mama and Papa and Tallah. They're waiting. I'll be following shortly. And what a time it will be when we're all together again.”

Jim Ed had crawled into bed with her and pulled himself up next to her back, helping her to stay warm. While holding her in his arms, he could tell her breathing was getting shallower and shallower. They both knew in their spirits it was time.

”Jim Ed,” Christina said, mustering all of her strength, her voice crackly and faint, ”Turn me around so I can see your face, I want to look into your eyes one last time.” Her husband of nearly sixty years ever so carefully positioned her body to where she was facing him. They lay there facing each other.

Christina reached up her quivering hand and ran her fingers across Jim Ed's face while looking directly into his eyes. ”I'm so glad that truck hit you that day, you old fool,” she said barely above a whisper. ”You're a good man, Jim Ed, and you've been a good husband. Thank you for standing by my side and being strong through all the hard times. And we sure had some good times too. Didn't we?” She smiled softly even though she was in pain. ”If I could do it all over, I' d spend my life with you again. I love you so much.” She wiped the tears from his eyes and then closed hers.

”I love you too, Christina,” Jim Ed whispered back, gently stroking her silver hair. ”You were the best wife a man could ever ask for. You made me a better man and filled my life with joy and richness. Thanks for loving me too.”

Christina closed her eyes and laid her head back on the pillow. For the next several hours Jim Ed continued to hold Christina's hand as her heartbeat weakened. Will had moved to the bedside while his wife was asleep in the chair. Around am, to their utter amazement, Christina's eyes popped wide open. She raised her head upright while gazing in wonder at something in the upper corner ceiling of the hospital room. A great smile filled her face. ”It's time?” she asked. Then she closed her eyes, dropped her head back on the pillow, and breathed her last.

29.

”I know she saw an angel or Tallah or her papa,” said Jim Ed. ”There's no other explanation. No way a person could be in that room and not trust G.o.d. Christina eyes opened because something called her. She opened them and looked straight up. She didn't even notice us.”

”Or Jesus,” said Josh, wiping tears from his eyes with his s.h.i.+rt sleeve. ”Maybe she saw Jesus?”

”Yes, maybe she saw Jesus,” said Jim Ed. ”I know one thing for sure. G.o.d is real, Josh. Never forget that. He can break your addiction and help you achieve your purpose in life. If you give your life to Him, it won't be easy, but He will do great and wonderful things through you. I promise. You have so many special gifts to be developed. Don't let the enemy destroy you. But it takes courage to stand up against all the lies and deception that your generation is throwing at you.”

”Yes sir. Thank you,” said Josh.

”Know this,” Jim Ed said turning his attention toward me again. ”There's nothing more difficult than reaching over to Christina's side of the bed and realizing that no one is there. It hurts. I'd give anything to hold her in my arms just one more time. Those who love much, grieve much. But it's worth it, Adam. It's worth the fight. Your family's worth the fight.”

I smiled, reached over and squeezed his hand. ”Thank you, Jim Ed,” I said. ”Your story has moved me in so many different ways. I know Jesus sent you to me today.”

”It's in these tough situations that we are given a chance to believe G.o.d is who He says He is,” continued Jim Ed, ”not because we are experiencing everything we want, but because we have a hope and we choose to believe. G.o.d is making you into something, Adam, and it's never too late to finish strong in life. Even in your darkest moments, if Christ dwells in you, there'll be a song deep in your soul and a warrior's fight in your swagger.”

”Like David?” I said.

”Just like David,” he said. ”Hey Josh, can you Google Psalm 144:1 and 9?”

”No problem,” Josh said and his fingers began flying on his iPhone. ”Got it!”

”Read it out loud please,” asked Jim Ed.