Friday, July 29, 2011

Trading My Sorrow


Paul Benjamin Shutt
January 25, 1916 - July 22, 2011

Some of my fondest memories of my grandfather are our conversations in these later years. He was so baffled why God had not taken him home yet and pondered His purposes for his time here. Almost immediately upon my return home from the World Race, we had a sit down in which he really wanted me to consider that question with him – and not in a flippant sort of way.

I shrugged. “The only thing I can tell you Grandpa...is that if He hasn’t taken you...He’s not done with you yet...He still has something left for you to do here.”

He processed it for a moment and responded, “I wish I could visit people in the hospital and talk with them – people that may not have anyone else to talk to.”

And with that simple statement and a little bit of effort...Grandpa’s ‘nursing home ministry’ was born. He began forming relationships with the folks in the nursing home…listening to their stories (as best he could) and sharing his. I’ll never forget his expression when I went for a visit a few weeks later to check in on his progress. With a humble smile and tears welling up in his eyes, he told me about his ‘patrons’. He pulled out a small notebook from his front pocket and slowly began turning the pages. Each one contained a name and some notes he used to recollect their stories. ”Today they circled five people around to talk with me” he said in disbelief.

“Well it sounds like you’ve found some work God has for you to do” I smiled.

“Yes, and I tell them about the Lord every chance I get” he declared.

Grandpa was 95 years old when he passed...still living independently...still witnessing Christ.

As I drove to work after learning of his passing...I failed to fight back the tears. Subtly the song on the radio began to interrupt my thoughts...as it talked about trading sickness and pain...for the joy of the Lord - though the sorrow may last for the night...His joy comes with the morning. Suddenly His peace transcended over me like the dawn of a new day. Grandpa is on Glory’s side...where there is no more sickness...no more pain – where every tear has been wiped away. He no longer bears witness to Christ in this life...because he sits with Him in the next. Can you imagine?


As I look over my life...I just can’t believe how God has always looked out for me...He’s given me everything I ever asked for. It might not have come when I thought it should or look the way I thought it would…but now looking back over my life, I can see...He answered every prayer. ~ Paul B. Shutt