Mike and I have gotten to know a sweet couple at our church - Heath and Kristin Thomas. They are a vital couple in the life of our church and thankfully, they are also our neighbors!
Heath's family live in Iowa and his father has been diagnosed with lung cancer. His father took a turn for the worse a couple of months ago, and our church began praying for his health, but more importantly for his salvation. You see, Heath was certain that his father was not a believer and that if he was to pass away that he would spend eternity in hell apart from the Father. About 3 weeks ago Heath and Kristin spent a week up in Iowa with his family and Heath had all intentions on sharing the Gospel with his father. Through certain circumstances, the opportunity never became available and they made the trip home not knowing if that would be the last time he saw his dad. Suddenly, his dad got pneumonia and the doctor told his mom that if the kids wanted to see him then they needed to make their way up to Iowa. Heath, Kristin, and his sister and her family all packed up the car and began the 13 hour drive to see his dad. Once they got on the road, they were told that his blood count was dropping and they needed to get up quicker - so they booked a flight from Atlanta and flew up there. When we received the news the church began praying! It was so incredible to see the body of Christ come together in prayer for a man we had not met, yet loved that family and knew the severity of the situation! Families were praying. Husbands and Wives were praying. Siblings were praying. Students were praying. Sunday School classes were praying. Everyone was eagerly praying that Heath would get the oppurtunity to share the Gospel and that his father would be receptive in his final days/hours.
On Monday, the church sent a email out that they recieved from Heath and in it he talked about how his father was not given much longer. This is part of what his email said:
"Now, how much time he has is up in the air, but I don't think it's much. He's resting now, but I am going in when they will allow me to. At that time, I am going in guns a blazin for the Lord. Pray for the Lord to move during that time."I just loved his phrase "guns a blazin' for the Lord." As I received this email I started praying. I took the boys for a walk and just prayed and asked the Lord to bring salvation to this man! Thirty minutes later, as I was unloading the boys from the stroller, Mike called and said "Did you hear the news?" I thought he was calling to say that his dad passed, but he was calling with news that required rejoicing and not grieving. Heath had shared Christ with the his dad and his dad accepted Christ as his Savior! Wow! With tears in our eyes we praised the Lord for His goodness and rejoiced that He is, indeed, Mighty To Save!!!
Heath's father passed away this morning, just two days after he was re-born. With sadness, we are grieving with Heath and his family, but with joy we are rejoicing that his father is in heaven praising the Lord, whom he came to know just two days prior! What a mighty, loving, and gracious God we serve!
I have been listening to this song by Hillsong called "You Hold Me Now." It is about the day when we meet the Lord in heaven. I have always enjoyed the song and in the recent days I have been listening to it praying for Jim Thomas - this morning as our hearts are heavy for the family, I am listening to it thankful that Heath was a faithful son and a faithful servant to the Lord - and because of his faithfulness to the Gospel that his father is now spending his eternity rejoicing and praising the one that brought salvation to him two days before he called him home.
Will you pray for the Thomas family with us?
Lyrics: You Hold Me Now
On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fear is swept away
In the light of your embrace
When Your love is all I need
And forever I am free
Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone
No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now
In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails
When Your name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day
When the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone
For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name
2 comments:
What an awesome God we serve! :) So glad that Heath was faithful to share the gospel with his dad!! :)
What an amazing testimony, it is never too late to try and share Christ with someone, NEVER. Kristin and Heath are so precious and I am so thankful they have the support and friends from there church to turn to at times like these.
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