Gone Fishin'Sample

 Bill who lost his wife 15 months ago

Bill was sitting near me in the St Jude Hospital waiting room when I asked him who he was visiting. He said his son's daughter was getting a minor surgery. I was asking the Lord to guide me so we might have a chance to talk about the Lord Jesus. But nothing was happening, until he said his wife died 15 months ago. So I asked him what her name was and he said it was Sherry. I asked him "What is it like?"  He said my family is nearby but we don't see each other that often. “The hardest part is at night time when I'm in bed.“

I said there was no way I could really understand how traumatic that must be since I haven’t lost my wife.

I told Bill about the grief group that has met for 40 years on Tuesday nights at 7 at our church and that people come from all religions or no religions and that the leaders are in small groups and if he went he would have a leader who had lost their mate. He said he was aware of the church location.

We had already discussed a lot about our backgrounds and discovered that we both had an older son named Scot, three kids 11 years apart from the first to the last. And that we were both 76 and lived in our original homes for 40 some years. As he was getting ready to go he said,

“By the way, why are you here?”

I said "Bill, I'm here for you," and looked him directly in the eye.

He said, "What??" So I told him "Recently a speaker said if you ever want to help other people just sit in the waiting room of a hospital. I felt like the Lord wanted me to do that. So I walked here to see if there would be someone who I could encourage. It appears you're that person Bill. Would you like me to pray for you?"

Bill said, "Yes please," and sat down next to me. I thanked the Lord for the chance to meet Bill and I asked the Lord to give Bill comfort as he is missing Sherry so much.

When I was done, he said, "Would you like a ride home?" I almost said, "No, that's okay Bill, I can walk." But before you know it, out of my mouth came, "Yes! That would be great."

On the drive home, he asked a few more questions about me and I was able to give him a one minute overview of how I committed my life to the Lord Jesus Christ when I was 21 years old and that my life has been terrifically changed ever since.

At that point, before I had a chance to even think about it I said, “Where are you in your spiritual journey Bill?" He said, "To be honest with you, I'm angry at God. He must be so angry with me." I told him God was not angry with him. Then we exchanged phone numbers, as we were at my home.

“Lord, I am so happy right now. Your sovereignty was so evident in this situation. So easy. So touching. I love you!”

Later I sent a text with the details of the meeting each week at the church. I sent him a text encouraging him that God was not mad at him, but that God was mad for him! He replied he's nervous to be in a small group but would love to get together or breakfast or lunch. 

To be continued…

Please say a prayer for Bill.