An old fashioned, independent, fundamental, Bible believing Baptist Church.
There are some things that are more important than family tradition.
Today at the church was a wonderful day. Our attendance was up a little and we had a great time as we heard our choir performe a cantata, A Child is Born. They did a great job and I am truly thankful for the effort that is always put forth. A sweet spirit, a good time and of course, the preaching was outstanding.
In the afternoon I received a phone call from one of our faithful ladies and she was in tears. A young woman, probably in her thirties or early forties, had been found dead of an overdose. I had worked with this lady many hours and had never been able to see her overcome her demons for more than just a few months at a time. God had worked many miracles in her life, but somehow we just could never get the commitment from her that we needed.
I took a few minutes for prayer for her and her family and did my best to get a hold of the family, but I could not reach them. I am not sure where they live and so all I could do is pray.
Church on Sunday night went as planned as we had an auditorium full of parents, and grandparents eager to see some young, future starts of stage and screen perform. It was a blessed time. After another fantastic message we departed for the fellowship hall for some refreshments. As I was standing on the ramp, overlooking the fellowship hall, as I always do during a fellowship time, a little girl, about six or seven years old, came up to me. She tugged on my coat and asked me, "Do you remember my daddy?" (I had buried him a little over a year ago). Yes, I replied, "I remember him very well. (He had grown up in our church, and he too fought many demons) "Well", she said, "my mommy died today!" I leaned down and put my arms around her, and held her little body in my arms. I assured her of my love and had a word of prayer with her. Through her tears, she looked up at me and asked "Will you preach her funeral?"
Many times people will ask me why I do what I do. I will answer that later, I have a message to prepare to comfort a little girl who doesn't have a father or mother, because they have both died of a hellish lifestyle! Merry Christmas, little one. I must also go to work to keep her clean and give her a longer, more blessed lifestyle. Pray that God will give me wisdom!
There are some things that I really have a hard time getting over. You would think that after all these years my heart would have gotten a little harder but thanks to God it has not.
Last Friday night my wife and I drove to the north side of Indy, some 100 miles to see our granddaughter, Avery, sing a few songs. In attendance that night was, of course, her mommy and daddy, Nana, and pop and Aunt Agnes was there and cousins Diana, Kai and Mason.
Avery came walking into the auditorium with a huge smile on her face looking all around and taking notice of all her family there. While up on stage I flashed her the I Love you sign and with her face shining with glee returned the sign. A few minutes later I blew her a kiss that was quickly returned. As she walked out from what was certainly the performance of the year, a big smile on her face, this night would be one of humdreds, maybe thousands, of her life.
After the performance we went to Star Bucks, ordered hot chocolate and all toasted Avery, because tonight was her night. The smile on her face and the giggle in her voice could not be purchased for all the money in the world, it is the gift of God.
I sat at home last night, thinking about the 31 year old woman, the one that took an over dose of drugs, that left behind an 18 month old baby and one that is just 5 or 6 years old. I thought about her little girl that came to me and said "Pastor, my mommy died today, you preached my daddy's funeral, will you preach hers?" Will she ever have one night like Avery will have thousands.
Why do I do what I do? Because there are little girls who have no one else. They must know that their pastor loves them. I could not help her mom, although God knows I tried. But I will, by the grace of God help her.
Because He Lives,
Pastor Steve Goens