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Listen while you read: "Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing"1 (Lyrics) |
In August 2017, my husband of 54+ years, my sister Kathy, and I were thoroughly enjoying a trip by recreational vehicle (RV) along the Alaska Highway in northern British Columbia, Canada. God's splendour was amazing with the scenery of mountains, valleys, and wildlife. On our way home, we stopped at a lodge to get gas, and Kathy ran in to pay. The unthinkable happened at this moment in time: my dearest John slumped with a heart attack. I instantly started CPR. Kathy came out to the RV, saw what was happening, and ran back into the lodge begging for help.
A young couple and a doctor came to help. The husband took over CPR, freeing me to feel for the neck pulse. The doctor took John's wrist, checking for a pulse, but after what seemed an eternity, he pronounced John gone. A senior doctor called the coroner.
The couple asked if they could pray. I said, "Yes, we, too, are believers." The RV needed to be returned to Edmonton, Alberta, within the next few days. The couple invited us to stay at their home. They would call their neighbour to make the house key available to us. A short while later, their son came over with a plate of sandwiches, for which we were very grateful.
The owner of the lodge gave us a site to park the RV while we waited for the police and ambulance.
A young RCMP officer came with the ambulance. He looked at the situation and said that he would not let us drive the RV after such a tragedy. One of the ambulance drivers could drive his truck. He drove the RV for three hours to the campground where we had booked a site. The officer stopped in at a restaurant and purchased a takeout snack for us. When we were settled, he called the precinct for a pickup.
As long as I have memory, I will thank God for the young couple and the RCMP officer. I sent them an appreciative letter. Son Donald flew out and drove the RV to Edmonton, and then drove my van home to Elliot Lake, Ontario.
Galatians 6:10 – Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)
In His kind-heartedness, God the Father sent Jesus Christ to Calvary to help us understand His love and to make forgiveness of sin available to us. May God help us to show only kindness and compassion, not only towards family and friends, but also towards total strangers, especially those who belong to the family of believers.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask for Your help to be always kind and compassionate as we follow the example of our Saviour. Nudge us to pray for those in authority over us. Help us to be ready to assist even strangers as we witness of Your love and grace by action and word, to those with whom we come in contact. Amen.
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Sad but beautiful story, Ruth. God bless.
Amazing blessings, Ruth! I pray for peace and courage for you.
Lovely. Thank you for all the people our Lord provided at a difficult time.
Your story encouraged me for in the hard, unbearable times. God does send us help in so many ways.
So sorry for your loss but thank you for such a touching story of faith and love. May God bless you, your family and all those that helped you, Ruth!
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your story today. It’s nice to hear positive things when there is so much negative emphasized these days. Blessings and stay safe,
Thank you for your email Devotional. My husband passed severao years ago. The kindness of strangers, family and friends is not forgotten. The world needs good Christians, more than ever!!
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for today’s devotional. We really appreciate hearing how God looked after your needs in an urgent situation.
Hello
Thank you for a moving devotional. God bless you for all of that, wow. God is faithful and seems to send the right ones when He knows we need them.
God bless.
Hi Ruth, It is amazing all the help you received in your time of need. All the people God put in your path. I hope you are doing well during our unsettled time. Thank you for that. God Bless.
Dear Ruth,
I can’t imagine what you went through, I am so glad to hear that there were people helping you out and that you got strength to cope.
Blessings.
What beautiful memories amidst the tragedy of your enormous loss. There is so much goodness around us!
May God surround you with his love and strength and especially as you approach another anniversary of your sudden bereavement.
Blessings.
Hi Ruth. I am so sorry for your loss. I know how you feel. After 45 years I lost my husband earlier this year. He died of a heart attack as well. I know the Lord took him to Heaven to be with Him. For that I am truly grateful. Take care of yourself hold his love in your heart.
Dear Ruth Rowe,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I’m glad your associates in that trying time for you were so kind and helpful.
I trust that you will continue to ” trust in the Lord with all Your heart and lean not to your own understanding.”
To see the Lord at work through the lives of His children, as they care for others, is a marvelous thing. May we all seek to be as kind and caring in his love, as we go about our days.
It has been almost three years since your husbands passing. I pray you are doing well and are encouraged in Christ’s love.
Blessings.
Thank you for your testimony of God’s love which endures forever. Before I read your story, I was reminded to read Psalm 136 with the refrain in every verse. Also read Proverbs 28:1 which reminds us the righteous are bold as a lion. How wonderful that God provided those bold Christians to help you in your time of need. How the Lord provides and thank you again for your story and prayer.
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story of “Good Samaritan” behaviour. Your ability to be appreciative of God’s grace and providence in the midst of a tragic loss is very inspiring.
May God bless you and keep you as you remember this providential story and the anniversary of your marriage.
Ruth, how beautiful are the hands and feet that bring kindness. My husband suddenly past of a heart attack, also. I would like to give you a hug. I know it is so lonely without our spouses. God continues in my heart, oh, the lessons I have learned from being in a completely different situation, that of a widow.
Scriptures take on a new meaning in this light. God bless you as you continue to bless others.
Greetings Ruth,
My sympathies to you in the loss of your husband. A very tragic and emotional experience you had to deal with but thankfully the Lord was truly watching over the situation supplying helpful and very considerate people at the right time to aid you. Our Lord is ever ready to respond to our calls and sometimes in surprising ways.
Blessings to you for sharing through writing this devotional and blessings to those who immediately came to your aid.
(B.C.)
Appreciate your sharing the story of kindness to you in your distress as your dear husband went home, leaving you to follow. Something similar happened to me, married close to 50 years, as my husband who hadn’t been sick at all, also suddenly collapsed. I identified with you as I read your devotional. God speaks to us all a little differently, hoping we’ll tell one another. My life after is completely different but God’s hand is even more evident in it, day following day. Love to you, Ruth, as your feet find the path once again and you feel the love of the God who is with us and in our futures.
What a story, what an experience!
Your faith was rewarded with awesome kindness from strangers.
What a shock that must have been.
I am sure the Lord sent all of those people to help.
Thank you for inspiring many people today.