Today is December 17th, another eight days and Christmas will be here for 2004. What will you be doing this Christmas? If you have a live wire and bubbly family, Christmas will probably be a time of friendship and laughter, of love and giving.
Some people are not so fortunate. In my brother’s extended family this Christmas will probably be one of heartache and difficulty. His wife’s nephew will be without his mother for the first time. She passed away a few days ago. For the past several years a little old mobile home has been their house. It is in a very dry area in California. The trailer is set on land that belonged to the lady’s parents for many years. Then, sometime back, authorities came and shut off the water. The nephew, Mark, was compelled to carry water on his back from the neighbors when it was available. Both Mark and his mother grew ill. They started drinking and taking drugs. Things got worse.
Mark’s mother was now just a tiny shell of a woman. Cherrie was suspicious of others and too proud to accept a place in the nursing home she was eligible to occupy. She lasted only a few weeks. She spent her last days in dejection and loneliness. My brother a lay preacher, was the only minister she knew. A few days ago he and his wife, Sherrie’s sister, flew to California and he ministered and preached at her funeral. Very sad, indeed.
There was just one bright note about the whole story. Sherrie had received the witness of my brother and his wife about three years before. They presented the Lord Jesus Christ to Sherrie and her son Mark. Both of them professed faith in the Saviour Jesus Christ. Oh, to be sure they still had many problems. Old habits died hard. Addiction to tobacco and alcohol took their toll. They tried to break free from illegal drugs. Money was a large concern. These babes in Christ had few chances to grow in their newfound faith. Now Mark is alone but a kindly pastor and a caring church have come to his aid.
Mark has gained a friend at Christmas. If you are lonely, in difficulty or otherwise hurting, call us. Let us introduce you to One who can come alongside you and help you. Call us at (517) 849-9510 or visit our next Sunday morning service at 11 o’clock this Sunday morning. If you need a ride, call us and we’ll see that you have a way to come. We would like to be your friend at Christmas. If you are hurting, call me.
God bless you this Christmas.
Pastor Ken Pierpont
Jonesville Baptist Church
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