February 25, 2015
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Goodbye to a Friend ... and Thoughts on Being Used to Give a Godly Touch to Others
I don't have a lot of news to report, all though I am doing better than I had been physically. Pain is just a part of life, but I'm so thankful that it isn't as bad as it had been.
Sometimes Xanga friends become WordPress and Facebook friends too. One of those was John Childress - "Inciteful" -- whom I know that some of you others knew as well. John is no longer with us; and my heart goes out to all of his family and friends who were especially close to him ... he was a real family man, and in the short time I became acquainted with him, I grew to appreciate his posts and pictures. I had gone to his FB site to wish him a "Happy Birthday" on February 18th, only to find that he had died on the 8th. Here is his obituary. John, you will be much missed.
I read a good devotional called "A Godly Touch" - an excerpt from Max Lucado's book, Just Like Jesus. The devotional was based on Matthew 8:3 - "Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man and said, 'I will. Be healed.' " Excellent! Here it is:
Oh, the power of a godly touch. Haven't you known it? The doctor who treated you, or the teacher who dried your tears? Was there a hand holding yours at a funeral? Another on your shoulder during a trial? A handshake of welcome at a new job? Can't we offer the same?
Many of you already do. Some of you have the master touch of the Physician himself. You use your hands to pray over the sick and minister to the weak. If you aren't touching them personally, your hands are writing letters, dialing phones, baking pies. You have learned the power of a touch.
But others of us tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it's just that our memories are bad. We forget how significant one touch can be ... Aren't we glad Jesus didn't make the same mistake?"
Over my lifetime I have blessed with many of those godly touches ... they often come when least expected, and from all sorts of places. Many of you my friends and family who will see this are among those who have touched me in special ways. Thank you. It is not way past time for me to come around and visit all of you NOW!
Comments (10)
I was so sad when I learned that John had died. He was a wonderful bright spot in the xangaverse. We touch others daily and often don't realized it! The physical touch is just as important as the psychological touch...
You are so very right, Val. Each person I've come to know to various degrees has taught me something, and given me more to think about and enjoy.
I know that he will be greatly missed by his family ... they really were such a big part of his life. I was surprised .... I thought he would
outlive his mom and his brother. My thoughts and prayers are with them and Mary, especially.
Yes Carolyn, John was a friend via Xanga but not only: he sent a Christmas card to me recently and I replied of course.
I have been informed of his passing by his niece Denise ( see the lasy comment on February 8 of my entry "O snowdrop" .
I write words of ccondolence and sympathy on the guest book sent to me via e.mail
How many dear friends I saw going away by death on xanga since 2001. Trust in God is a need if not the ephemeral life would have not any meaning .
I am very sensitive at seeing that you too were an Inciteful's friend
Love
Moichel
I know, Michel. I have seen a number of friends who have passed away -- both on Xanga and Facebook.
I am glad that he had the opportunity to know you; you are a very good friend, Michel.
I too wrote on the sympathy guest book online.
God bless you! Love - Carolyn
I sure have been missing his posts ~ so sorry ~
Yes, I saw that it had been some time since he had written a post, and he was a very faithful blogger.
I knew John very well through xanga. He was a fine gentleman. I feel bad that in the last year or two, I had not communicated with him as regularly. I pray that his family will live in peace through his memories.
Thank you Carolyn for posting this.
You are welcome, Zakiah. That is a prayer that is important ... for his family to have peace.
He had a close relationship with his family. . . and I am sure they are missing him dreadfully.
I didn't know John but am sending prayers for his family. Life is sad.
I check again your entry ,Carolyn . Yes again a mourning on Xanga .
This time I ead with more attention the meaningful poem of Weisley.
Love
Micchel