I was discussing the month-long hiatus from writing Words for the Day I’m getting ready to embark on with my good friend Al Cuneo and he offered to send out reruns. He and his son George have helped me with WFTD for over a decade but are so busy with their jobs I hated to ask and thought of another way I could send some out while recovering which I will write in advance. I received so many moving letters asking me to reconsider I thought it might help others in some kind of ministry who have felt like I felt (that perhaps it was just a waste of time, and I was too old and irrelevant and what was the use in writing it if no one wanted to read it anyway).
I want to encourage you to encourage those who are attempting to make a difference. It made all the difference to me. Being an outspoken Christian and admitting you are a sinner but are boldly standing up for Christ takes courage, hard work, and perseverance. I have never given a whit about being “cancelled” or politically incorrect when it comes to teaching what the Bible, (God), has to say about culture and morality. I realize that not everyone is going to like what me or what I have to say – They certainly didn’t like Jesus or what He had to say either. With that being said, I know all that logically, but everyone needs encouragement from time to time as Satan continues to beat us down at every opportunity. Even Billy Graham admittedly got worn down and discouraged at times.
So, I have taken a few samples of the huge amount of correspondence about my consideration of ending my little ministry and the tremendous encouragement I received and will be sharing it with you. It is my hope that your perspective of those who are trying to do the Lord’s work to the best of their abilities including but not limited to your pastor, the music program, your small group leader, and even the parking attendants and greeters will not be met with anything but love. Imagine telling someone like a parking attendant for example who is standing in the church parking lot in the pouring down rain and trying to get people in and out of church as fast as possible is sought out by you and you tell them: “Thanks! What you have done for the Lord today is much appreciated. May God bless you! It will no doubt make his day, don’t you think?
Here is the first sampling of one of the encouragement letters I received:
Hello Bob,
After reading your WFTD on Friday I intended to write you a note today. Now I have just read today’s email and am thrilled to hear of the awesome response from many readers such as me who thoroughly enjoy your message daily. In early 2016 my brother passed along your WFTD and I have been reading them daily ever since. Obviously, your message “AND NOW THE FUN BEGINS” of Jimmy’s passing on November 22, 2017 will always be special in our hearts.
We are very much aligned with our perspective on life and sadly, the moral and spiritual decline in America. I too, have much concern for my children and grandchildren (#8 born today). We can only pray that more individuals in this country will turn away from Satan’s ways and follow Christ.
I am thrilled to hear you will be writing WFTD again in the future as we hope and pray your shoulder surgery will be successful and least painful as possible. Truthfully, I had mine in 1993 and as your PT mentioned, it is no fun.
I remembered writing the post in Words for the Day the day after Jimmy passed on and I looked it up using the search feature on the website and here it is:
AND NOW THE FUN BEGINS
A friend of mine, Jimmy Galloway, was called home by the Lord yesterday. He had a melanoma some thirty years prior and it was successfully removed; however, 7 months ago it came back with a vengeance. Once again he fought a valiant battle against it, but it ravaged his body and this time it could not be defeated.
I was reviewing some of my correspondence with Jimmy this morning and he’d sent me a photo of a statue of a girl in front of M.D. Anderson cancer treatment facility in Houston Texas. He told me it was his favorite. The hand of the little girl is outstretched and there is a hummingbird resting on her finger. Below the sculpture is a plaque inscribed with a poem penned by Victor Hugo:
“Be like the bird, who
Halting in his flight
On limb too slight
Feels it give way beneath him
Yet sings
Knowing he has wings.”
This is typical of the mindset of Jimmy. He faced death but did not fear it in the least and continued to “sing” praises to our Lord right up until the moment he took on wings like an eagle and soared. His perspective was summed up nicely just a few days prior when he wrote:
“This has been quite a seven-month journey. We have been so blessed with wonderful family and friends that have supported us so strongly along the way. In addition, God has placed so many caregivers there as well. Lots of witness both ways. God is so very good! As you and I discussed several weeks ago, there was no win or loss in this situation . . . No matter what, we win. Had a lot left to do on earth, and who knows may still have the opportunity to do it. If not, I know my eternal home is ready . . . excited is an understatement! I love you my brother . . . See you when it’s your appointed moment.
Jimmy”
Note at the very end of his life:
- He was thanking God for his blessings
- He was witnessing to those who surrounded him
- He hoped for more opportunity to do more of the same
- And he was genuinely excited about entering heaven and seeing Jesus
My friend was not worried about the “limb being too slight,” because he knew the “wings” of Jesus would lift him in flight to soar like an eagle forever.
Oh, my friend Jimmy, I too look forward to seeing you in all the splendor of our newly glorified bodies afforded to us by our Savior.
I pray this morning that you are like Jimmy, fully confident that you have wings that will lift you on high when the frail limb upon which you rest fails. Wings that will lift you to heaven can only come from having faith in Jesus Christ.
At this special time of year when we thank Almighty God for what He does and has done for us, a deep look into what we have done for Him is in order. I’ve been thinking about it since I got the news about Jimmy.
I have another birthday coming soon and I know I’m another year closer to the end of my journey on earth. I pray that I will find renewed strength to work harder for the Lord and one day finish my race well and fight the good fight every step of the way just like my friend Jimmy did.
I feel sure Jesus said to Jimmy yesterday morning, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”.
And as Jimmy and I discussed on so many occasions, AND NOW THE FUN BEGINS!
Luke 22:29
And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed on Me . . .
I’m sorry I even considered giving up on Words for the Day.