.....good

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

There was an old man at our church who had loved God all of his life. The man, John, walked around saying "God is Good". He said it all the time, whenever and wherever he was. When John got married he said, "God is Good". When John lost his job he said, "God is Good". When John's father died he said, "God is Good". When John's wallet got stolen he said, "God is Good". Well, you get the idea, no matter what John did, or what happened to him, we would always hear him say, "God is Good". 

A few months ago, John was diagnosed with cancer. The disease had spread rapidly and he was told by his doctor he'd have only a few weeks to live. Still, even on his death bed, John could be heard by everyone in the hospital repeating his famous line, "God is Good". Our pastor Charles was John's best friend. Charles went everyday to visit John in the hospital. And every night before Charles left John would tell him, "God is Good". 

Finally after weeks of watching his best friend get worse and worse from his terminal disease, Charles just could not stand it any longer and asked John, " John you are my best friend and I love you. I love the Lord as much as you do too. I have listened to you say that God is Good your whole life. Through the good times, maybe I can understand you saying how good God is. Maybe even through the hard times, to help yourself cope. But now, laying here on your death bed, how can you be so optimistic? How can you say God is good every day when you know he is letting you die?" John just looked at Charles and smiled. 

"Dear friend, don't you see all of those times I was saying God was Good, it was my way of praising him in the little way I could. And look what my reward is for remaining faithful, I am dying. You say God is letting me die as if that is a bad thing. Charles, have you forgotten that is our goal. To live our life for Him, and join him one day in heaven. See, GOD IS GOOD!" 

John died that night in his sleep. Charles stood up and said only two things at John's funeral: "I will miss my friend but I know I will see him again one day soon. And GOD IS GOOD."  

- dave langerfeld