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Mrs Kim VanAckeren’s mother passed away this morning. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s, and as Mrs Kim’s father is battling cancer, her lingering in the event of his death was a rather pressing concern of his. While grieved, he is also grateful that the Lord was gracious to usher her home ahead of him. The family takes comfort in knowing that she is now in the presence of our Lord, as she lived a fully faithful life. We rejoice with them that she is with Jesus and no longer suffering here, and we weep with them as they will deeply miss her.

The funeral service will be Saturday in Louisiana. Let’s keep Mrs Kim and her family in prayer during this time, praying for all this traveling and for the Lord’s grace and peace about them as they honor her life and lay her to rest.

Only a Few

There is this moment in the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus heals 10 lepers but only one responds with praising God and thanking Jesus (Luke 17:11-19). For Luke, this story runs along a theme in his Gospel of highlighting the faith and faithfulness of Samaritans (remember “The Good Samaritan” story is only recorded in Luke’s Gospel). Luke not only narrates that the one who turned back to glorify God and thank Jesus was a Samaritan (v16), he also records Jesus’ remark that the only one who turned back to give God glory was a “stranger” (v18), which referred to anyone who was not Jewish. 

The highlighted point is that the only one who returned praising and giving thanks was considered an enemy of Israel, and one whose faith in God was held in suspicion by the Jews of Jesus’ day. While there is much to consider with the main point that Jesus highlights and Luke records, we also can consider that the story of ten being healed while only one returns to give glory and thanks provides a principle: only a few give gratitude though many are impacted. 

While that is not exactly how things should be, it is the reality. Think about school teachers. Many educators have a lasting, positive influence on a whole bunch of students, but the notes, cards and calls they get years later from from students thanking them is relatively few. Be encouraged, then, that your positive impact on people goes beyond those who return with gratitude.

Moreover, do not be discouraged from continuing to do good and to love like Jesus, when you do not receive gratitude. You may begin to think that you are not doing it right or well, when it doesn’t seem people’s lives are positively impacted. You may even be tempted to bitterness and resentment in such cases. However, you should know that if you are loving people like Jesus, being patient and kind and meek and hospitable and generous, then you’ll probably only hear “thank you” from a few, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t impacted many. 

One last bit of encouragement, let’s find ourselves among the few, who give thanks where thanks is due! 

Bro Herb met with his doctors last night, and they have decided that they are going to hold off on the procedure for a couple of weeks. The hope is that his kidneys will be regulated by that time, with the aid of medication, so they can proceed with the procedure. He will be discharged today. Let's keep Bro Herb lifted in prayer throughout the next couple of weeks, praying that everything will get sorted so that he can have the procedure he needs in a couple of weeks. Let's pray, too, that he does not have any heart episodes in the mean time.

Mrs Peggy Rigby will be having a heart catheterization later this morning. This procedure will determine what treatment they intend for her. If able, they will treat her during the procedure today. Let's lift her in prayer as she undergoes this procedure today.

Mrs Karyn Risch asks that we pray for her co-worker, Allie. Allie was due to give birth in February, but she contracted COVID and was put on a ventilator. Out of concern for the baby, they moved to deliver her early, and she was born just under 3 lbs, and she is doing well. Due to being on a ventilator, Allie, is not aware that her child has already been delivered. Allie is progressing, her oxygen levels increasing. This of course is an unimaginable situation, and one which needs our diligent prayers. Let's pray for Allie that she continues to progress and can be taken off ventilation swiftly. Let's pray for her baby's health and continued growth. Let's lift her husband and entire family in prayer as well.

Bro Herb's procedure was delayed again. While we know the doctors are delaying to ensure a safe and successful surgery, it is discouraging. Bro Herb does set out to take things in stride, and his spirits are still good, for which we praise the Lord. Let's continue praying for him, praying that he will be able to get to and through the procedure and on the road to recovery soon.