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Mi nuevo amigo… My new friend…

11/24/2018

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RUMBO A CASA... / HEADING HOME...

(Basado en mi visita con Ron, 18 nov 2018. El Señor lo llevó a casa hoy, 24 nov 2018.)

Acabo de conocer a Ron… a penas hace unos meses. Hoy, le llamo amigo y hermano en Cristo.

Lleva tiempo con la diálisis, es diabético, y hace poco lo diagnosticaron con cáncer del páncreas. Se ha suspendido la quimioterapia. Ya lo dieron de alta del hospital. Lo que sigue son las medidas paliativas en casa.

Aprendí un poco más acerca de Ron en los testimonios que escuché el domingo. Un joven que forma parte del equipo de alabanza expresó su gratitud. El saxofón que toca es el de Ron. Se convirtió ese gesto generoso en una gran oportunidad.

Otros hablaron de la gran influencia que han tenido Ron y Judith en sus vidas. Su pastor lo describió como fiel… estable… una roca.

En la noche, le llevé a Carol a su tiempo de oración en camino a pasar otro rato con mi nuevo amigo. Ron despertaba del efecto de sus medicamentos… lentamente se armó una plática, cada vez más animada. Nada fácil, pues, se tenía que remojar continuamente la boca.

Le leí el Salmo 34. Me compartió unos dulces recuerdos de su pastor con quien lleva una relación estrecha de muchos años. Me contó de sus padres, particularmente de su madre que toda su vida se dedicaba a ayudar a los misioneros… preparando envíos por flete y a veces hasta les llevaba las cosas.

Preguntó por mis blogs. Ahora, sí, Ron me tuvo que caer bien.

A la hora, observé con asombro lo alerta e involucrado que estaba. ¿Será que el tiempo que le resta sea tan corto? Parece que llegué a tiempo a penas para prestarle la mano mientras suba al barco que lo conducirá a la presencia del Salvador.

Sin embargo, cuando dos espíritus afines se encuentran, poco tiempo se requiere para crear una amistad y disfrutarla.

No me parece justo: yo reflexionando sobre cómo expresar unas palabras en un blog mientras mi amigo nuevo lidia con sus últimos días entre nosotros. Pero, aquí es donde cabe lo que más me impactó:

Ron no lidia con sus últimos días.

Pensarías que realmente cree que va rumbo “a casa.” Conoce a su Salvador. La Biblia le ha dado un atisbo de lo que le espera al otro lado (igual al que todos podemos ver). Y no se trata tanto de “qué” le espera como “quién.”

Ron ha sido una roca porque ha construido su vida sobre la Roca, El Señor Jesucristo.

Quién sabe… algún día podría tocarme a mi estar amarrado a una cama mientras otros me vigilan… mientras buscan qué decirme y cómo decírmelo. Quisiera poder predecir cómo me comportaría.

Espero acordarme del ejemplo de Ron.

¿Estás listo para cruzar al otro lado? ¿Crees que estarás bien solo porque el pensar en lo contrario no te es posible?

O, ¿has puesto tu confianza en el sacrificio de Dios el Hijo… hecho una vez para la remisión del pecado?

"pero Cristo, habiendo ofrecido una vez para siempre un solo sacrificio por los pecados, se ha sentado a la diestra de Dios,” Hebreos 10:12

"Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí."  Juan 14:6

(Based on my visit with Ron, Nov 18, 2018. The Lord carried him home today, Nov 24, 2018.)

​I just met Ron (through Carol) a few months ago. Today, I call him friend and brother in Christ.

He has been on home dialysis for some time, diabetic, and recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They have suspended the chemo. He has been released from the hospital… Hospice care is next.

I learned a bit more about him during a testimony time Sunday morning. A high schooler who is part of the praise team expressed his thanks. The saxophone he plays had been Ron’s. He turned his generous gift into an opportunity. 

Others spoke about the influence Ron and Judith have had on their lives. His pastor described Ron as faithful, steady… a rock.

In the evening, I dropped Carol off for her prayer meeting on the way to spend more time with my new friend. As he roused from a drug-induced nap, conversation slowly picked up. Not easy for him. He had to constantly swab the inside of his mouth with water. 

I read Psalm 34 to him. He shared some sweet memories of his pastor with whom he has had a tight relationship for many years. He told me about his parents, particularly about his mother and her lifetime involvement in helping missionaries… preparing and sending care packages and even visiting them in other countries.

He asked about my blogs. Now I really had to like him. 

An hour into the conversation, it was amazing to see him so alert and engaged. Could his time left with us really be so short? It looks like I got here in time to barely lend a hand as he boards the ferry to cross over into the presence of the Savior. 

Nevertheless, when two kindred spirits meet, little time is needed to create a friendship and enjoy it.

It doesn't seem fair: I meditate on personal takeaways for a blog post while my new friend wrestles with his last days among us. Yet I want this to be all about him... all about what impacted me most: 

Ron is not wrestling with his last days.

You would think he really believes this stuff about “going home.” He knows his Savior. He has a glimpse (at least as good as any of us can have) of what awaits him on the other side… not so much “what” awaits him as “who.”

Ron has been a rock because his life is built on the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Who knows… one day, it could easily be my turn to be the one tied to a hospital bed while others stand watch, struggling with what to say and how to say it. I wish I could predict how I would behave.

I hope I remember Ron’s example.

Are you ready to cross over? Do you just assume you will be ok because the alternative is unthinkable? 

Or, have you specifically trusted in the finished work of Christ on Calvary for the remission of your sin?

"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,"  (Hebrews 10:12)

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”"  John 14:6

2 Comments
Chrissy
4/23/2019 08:35:58 pm

I really LOVE this!
I am new to dealing with grief, and watching loved ones 'shift' their spirit from the things of earth, to the things of Heaven. It is such an eye opening experience; to really begin to understand the path we all will walk. To see how the 'small things' of this Earth are SO small!

Reply
Greg Smith link
4/23/2019 09:50:22 pm

So small indeed...! Thank you Chrissy for reading and for sharing your thoughts... Lord help us to keep our eyes on HIM... and his grand design for us... which we have barely caught a glimpse of through his Word. Blessings...! Isa. 9:7

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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