A Connecting Call

A Connecting Call

On January 9, 2026, with the two of us remembering the 33rd anniversary of our daughter Becky’s death in a Seattle hospital, our cell phone rang with an unknown number and name. My wife decided to answer and gave me the phone. On the other end of the call, an 81-year-old pastor of a church in the Florida Keys was preparing to retire after 40 years of service in Iowa, Minnesota, and Florida. He was calling to thank me for helping to prepare him as a pastor (along with other professors). After more than 30 minutes of conversation, we knew that God used that call to connect both of us with “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33a). God brought comfort through the mutual loss of young adult children and encouragement through the shared joys of ministry.

Father Knows Best

Sometimes it is hard to accept the fact that our heavenly Father knows what is best for us. We want to be in charge of our lives. Many years ago, I suffered a miscarriage after praying for another child for about five years. While I was waiting to have surgery, one thought kept going through my mind, “Well He knows what best to grant me.” Later I found comfort in the whole hymn verse, “Well He knows what best to grant me; All the longing hopes that haunt me, Joy and sorrow have their day. I shall doubt His wisdom never; As God wills, so be it ever; I commit to Him my way” (LSB #732). God granted me a little girl one and a half years later. Recently, my husband of 59 years died, and once again, this verse brought me much needed comfort. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to accept that it was Len’s time to die and that God still has plans for me on earth.

Appreciating Each Other

I sing in the choir as a member at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Prescott, Ariz. Our pianist/organist is a former opera singer. With her expertise, our 16 voices are instructed in timing, correct pitch, and necessary tone changes when appropriate. As an 81-year-old retired missionary, teacher, and pastor, I have been involved in many choir/ worship services. We come together to make joyful (hopefully in tune) music to the Lord. When Paul began his letter to the members in Ephesus, I am sure he wanted them to be an uplifting-sounding choir in song and deed. Singing does bring us together. In my church choir, the four basses have been correctly positioned according to vocal ranges, as are the other three vocal sections. Doesn’t that remind us of God placing us where He wants us for His work in our sin-filled world? We know we have a heavenly home awaiting us where we will sing with the angels, probably in tune. Ha. God’s blessings.

The Family of God

A few years ago, my husband suffered a heart attack that required bypass surgery. After we arrived home from the hospital, church members and friends regularly checked on him. They brought food, sent cards, made phone calls, and took care of some household chores. The outpouring of love we received reminded me of one reason why God tells us not to forsake assembling ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). Without our support from loving people, we would have felt alone. The task of caring for his needs and our home would have overwhelmed me. We need our heavenly Father, but we also need each other. The Bible tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). This brings us to a unity of faith because all believers are part of the family of God.

Boring Life?

Perhaps you’re thinking that your life is in such a routine that it’s almost boring — same schedule, same meals, same TV shows, same medical visits. “It’s the same every day,” you might say. We are to be mirrors of Jesus — to be His followers, His imitators. Note this Biblical attribute of our Savior: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” His sameness is as powerful Creator (yesterday), constant Redeemer (today), and Preparer of a place for us (forever). By imitating Jesus, our routine days will be exciting, engaging, and examples of the Christian life. There is nothing boring about living a life that exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a).