As I was walking to town this morning, I walked down the steep hill and discerned the Lord's presence. "Good morning Lord" I smiled, and I gently felt Him reminding me to keep my eyes peeled and ears and heart open for any believers I should see on my travels.
I felt happy bouncing down the hill; the sun was shinning; I had my winter coat on and my hands nicely warm in my pockets
Then, in the distance, I spied old Howard coming out of the health centre. Hmm, I wondered, is Howard poorly; hope not. I love Howard; he always makes me feel happy, because he always says something about the Lord; without fail. He's a singer, and he stands up in the Church and sings the most amazing hymns and gospel songs. When he sings, I feel like I'm in heaven.
I know a bit of Howard's background, because he told me how he prayed his prodigal son out of a heroin addiction. Howard's also suffered some untimely deaths in his family, and one brother was drowned at sea. His Dad died when he was a teenager, and his Mum raised the children alone.
Howard's now 70, and his eyes gleam with the light of the Lord.
I said, "Hello, my dear man, you're not ill are you?" Howard reminded me how he's suffered from depression for a long time. As he reminded me, I thought, oh yes, I do remember him telling me this before. He said he had to go and get the lithium levels in his blood measured. I said, "Oh, lithium, that's a drug they give to people with depression isn't it?" Howard talked to me a bit about his blood tests and what the nurse says, and I listened quite intently. He said, the nurse had said the lithium in his blood was low. I thought to myself, oh, so does that mean Howard will feel depressed if the lithium level is low.
I then thought to tell him something that might just encourage him. I said, "You know Howard, God's servants of old suffered the same way you're suffering." I said, "Because they had the burden of the Lord upon their hearts." I could see Howard was listening to me, and I know he knew I wanted to encourage him.
He's such a wonderful man, and he's so beautiful, and full of love. I remember in the past I've said to him; you should be a preacher Howard; your Church would be full if you were a preacher. I've seen his prayer book when I've been round his house, and he said he prays daily for everyone in his prayer book. He said he has me and my family in his prayer book. Bless him Lord for his faithfulness.
We continued talking a bit about the Christian community in our town, and he talked about one of the Pastor's leaving and how one Church is praying for a replacement Pastor.
I said to Howard, "Now don't you go charging up that hill mind; remember to take some breathers." He laughed when I said that; and his old eyes really shined out at me. He reached out and took the end of my fingers, and just gently squeezed them. Did I see a little tear in his eyes as he said thank you? I know my heart and eyes are filled with tears as I think of this dear Saint.
Say a prayer for Howard now, "Father, please raise Howard's lithium levels, and lift any depression he feels right now; lift any heavy burdens, and let Your Holy Spirit flow through him like a gentle stream. Amen."
