Friday, July 13, 2012

Not here, gone home

Mr. Edwin Messerschmidt was born in 1918, a relative of the famous German aviation family.

His testimony is, that as a young man, he was a pretty rough guy, but came to Christ and underwent a MAJOR transformation.  He was a career missionary.  He was married to a wonderful missionary lady, Ruth, who died a few years back.

Edwin had a hip replaced several years ago, and was never able to keep it in place.  For the last year or so, he navigated via walker, and more recently a wheelchair.

Edwin was different than many of us, in ONE major way.  He was longing for death.  He didn't fear death, he didn't fight death, he embraced it.  A bit odd, eh?

Not really.  Edwin was eager to get to heaven, first to see the L^rd, then to see Ruth, then to see the many friends who preceded him.

Edwin was never suicidal.  He faced his pain and frustration with grace.  Our last conversation, he was encouraging me about a communion I had directed in our congregation.

Edwin went to sleep last night here on earth, and woke up this morning, a bit after 6 AM in heaven.  He lived exemplary.  He died exemplary.

I hope to do so well.

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