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“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” Psalms 23:4
I held his hand as we sang together “Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.” Together we read and quoted uplifting Bible verses, and together we shared stories of hope and promise. I made the visit to encourage a spiritual giant within a frail body. Pastor Fitzroy Edwards is dying. He is losing the battle with cancer, but winning the battle of life. He is traveling through a deep valley - but he certainly isn’t alone.
One of the most amazing testimonies to the power of God and the influence of the church is to witness the journey of God’s children as they “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”.
A few years ago, I volunteered to help a fellow clergyman cover his chaplaincy duties at a local funeral home. I would be contacted if they needed the services of a pastor for a family that had no “religious connection”. My first call was to have the funeral service for a women in her eighties.
The funeral home had done a wonderful job preparing her body. The funeral chapel was attractive; appropriate music was playing for the service; an informative eulogy card was ready to distribute and the chairs were lined up neatly. But the funeral director and I were the only ones in attendance.
The director was surprised that I would continue with Biblical readings and prayer . . . and I was surprised and saddened that, apparently, this women had walked through the valley . . . alone.
In the last few weeks, I have sung and had conversations with two pastors that are walking through this very same valley. . . but not alone! They claim the promises that their Friend is by their side. Along with their loved ones and church family, they sing with assurance, “This world is not my home” and “Soon and very soon we are going to see the King”. I praise God for those who can “Walk through the valley in peace”!
Thank you Pastor Fitzroy and family for being a wonderful witness for the power of God’s promises.