Pauline Sadler, age 89, married 69 plus years to Geary Sadler, died Saturday (July 26, 2008) night at 8:45 (eastern standard time) was/is the mother of my best friend and wife of 32 plus years, Faith.
Pauline was precious, Godly, strong, a person of powerful convictions, and unwavering in her love. She is the person my dad had in mind when he would talk about "her face is set toward heaven like a flint!" That was Pauline, her singular desire was to be like Jesus Christ in every area of her life. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer some 8 weeks ago and knowing that her father died of the same and how her father died caused some anxiety in Pauline's heart. Pancreatic cancer is vicious, swift and severe, the pain is excruciating, the stomach wrenches in spasms, the body burns with fevers of exceeding 104 degrees, in a word, it is horrible!
I asked her how she managed her fears and she smiled and told me of the countless Psalms she had committed to memory and said, "John Mark, if I can bring my mind to focus on the content of the Psalm my fears go way." Listen, when she paid attention to the Psalms she could not pay attention to her fears and they would subside। She truly exercised what St। Paul described in Philippians 4:8 "brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things…" And you know the God of Peace kept her heart and mind free of those fears।
Maybe you have heard that FEAR is best understood as False Evidence Appearing Real and that the word FEAR appears about 365 times in the Holy Bible and that most of those occurrences are statements such as; "fear not", "don't be afraid", "you have not been given a spirit of fear." Someone told me that God put that in Scripture because we should not be afraid but I think they are there because HE knows that each of us will face fear in this world. Pauline faced her fears with grace, love, and the EXCELLENCE of TRUTH…in the face of LOVE and TRUTH, fear wilts and is no more.
Days like these calls upon our faith because our faith is the only sensible thing we possess…it is during these times my mind is drawn to some gospel songs and I sing them over and over, maybe you remember as well:
"Known only to Him, are the great hidden secrets
I fear not the darkness when my flame shall dim
I know not what the future holds but I know Who holds the future…
It is a secret, Known only to Him…"And then, there is the one that is part of this BLOG'S title…
"Just think of stepping ashore
and finding it Heaven,
of touching a hand and finding it God's
of breathing new air and finding it celestial....
of waking up in glory and finding you are Home..."
That is what Pauline did tonight…she stepped ashore and found the shore was heaven, she touched a hand and discovered that hand was God's, she took a deep pain free breath of air and to her delight it was celestial and she woke up in Glory found she was HOME!Pauline, tell my mom and dad, "Hello" from their son, and I will there soon!!
--- John Mark Trent, PhD
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09/21/08 - My name is Gregory Brooks, from Columbia,SC. It is 5:14am on the east coast. I had a dream last night and after awaking, a few minutes ago, was led to the internet and the dream said, "type in waking up in Glory and finding it home". When I typed in "Waking up in glory", the automatic entry took over and completed the phrase and your Mother's story came up and I read it and was totally blown away at her courage in the face of fear. I prayed and thanked God for the message he gave me and thanked God for your mother. I went downstairs to get a cup of coffee, took our monthly church flyer and noticed that I was scheduled to sing this morning at Abundant Life Fellowship Church of the Nazarene in Columbia, SC. I feel that God wants me to share your Mother's story to someone at my church this morning.
ReplyDeleteGod sends messages to me over the years and I try to obey these messages and just wanted to take the time this morning to give honor to your Mother and what she stood for in your life . . .and after her death.
Thanks be to God for using those that have passed on to still comfort those in the future!
God Bless you - Greg Brooks - 803-586-1091
Thanks and so greatful that 'the God of all comfort and the Father of mercies' still brings up peace in the midst of life's tidal waves...God bless you Greg
ReplyDeleteCould someone please tell me where I might find the song referenced above "Just think of stepping ashore and finding it Heaven, etc". I would like the song and the music or the name of a cd with it on. Please email me at dpalmer2@triad.rr.com. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help you find the music to this great old song...it is only in my memory...anyone else that can help??
ReplyDeleteAccording to this blog (http://cajunbass.blogspot.com/2006/02/few-more-thoughts_23.html), the song is called Finally Home. The music was written by Don Wyrtzen; lyrics by L. E. Singer. Kerry Smith posted a link on that blog to a recording of the song and provided info on where to purchase the CD. The track is also available on Praise Hymn Soundtracks.
ReplyDeleteWhen engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea,
Unknown waves before you roll;
At the end of doubt and peril is eternity,
Though fear and conflict seize your soul.
But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!
When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night,
O how lonely death can be;
At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light,
For death is swallowed up in victory!
But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!