One of God's Men ...

He walked into the church office where I was the secretary, picked up my left hand and said: "Hmmmmmm...no wedding ring, no engagement ring - I've got a good-looking young fellow out here you need to meet"! Needless to say, the "young fellow" and I, a rather timid nineteen year-old, were both rather embarrassed; but we DID end up together, marrying about four years later, after we both graduated from the same college (Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO)!

My husband and his family had known "him", Richard Schott, and his wife, Mary, for many years. I had just met Richard when he walked into my office to wait for my pastor, who was a close friend of his. My husband, John, had graduated from high school that year and was traveling for a few weeks with Richard who, with his wife and family, were missionaries in the Philippines. They were back on furlough, visiting their supporting churches.

Over the years, whenever we'd see Richard again, I'd always tease him about introducing us. It was either: "Whenever we argue, I say it's YOUR fault, Richard!", or: "We're doing just great - thanks for introducing us!"

Now, almost forty years later, I sit and hold his aged hand as he lays curled up in a fetal position on his bed in the nursing home where he and his wife have been for awhile. He has suffered a massive stroke, leaving him with almost no movement and no speech. There is little hope of recovery - though none of us can say for sure what God will do. Loving family members and good friends are in and out, letting him know that he is not alone. He hears, we believe; squeezes our hands fairly strongly when we ask him to. His daughter plays the hymns for him that he loves. We all take turns talking to him. I whisper in the ear of this man I owe so much to: "I love you, Richard Schott. Thanks again for introducing me and John." He squeezes my hand. He did.

He is God's man and he is not afraid to die, if it's his time now. Not afraid to face the One he and his wife have served for so many years. Probably even excited to "go home"; though reluctant to leave his family.

I, on the other hand, fear losing him. Not because I think he isn't ready to go, but, selfishly, because of the void he will leave. He has "felt" like a father to me for so many years, even though we've been in different countries for most of those years. My husband feels the same way. And, too, I think of the void he will leave within his family; the sadness they will have to cope with. Death isn't easy to handle, even when we, as Christians, know the dying are Christians and will be with God...peaceful,happy and without pain. Because those of us who are left behind here miss the presence of the departed.

So - I sit and hold his hand nearly forty years after he first held mine, reflecting on the intervening years and the many shapes and forms my life has taken, as well as his and his family's. I pray for him and for his family. I pray that, if this IS his time to go that God will take him quickly and peacefully; that he isn't suffering pain. And, at the same time, I pray that God will raise him up.

I remember John 3:16 (NIV):

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Richard Schott gave me a wonderful "gift" when he introduced me to my husband. And Richard Schott has spent most of his life introducing everyone he meets to Jesus Christ, Who is the greatest gift of all ... from God to us. There are MANY people world-wide eternally grateful to him.

Thank you, Richard.