Remember my elderly friend Hilda, from Juanita’s Joy?
I had just visited Hilda the end of January, before leaving on a family trip. She was in rehab, suffering from a respitary ailment, weakened and less responsive. As usual, I shared neighborhood news and friendly regards from the few she could remember.
“I’ll see you when I get back from my trip!”
I turned to leave but felt a restraint. Turning back to her wheelchair, I put my hand upon her shoulder and spoke loud enough for her to hear without her hearing aids,
“Hilda, consider Jesus as your Messiah! Turn to Him for forgiveness of sins. Be ready for the moment you meet God!”
Slumped in her wheelchair, she didn’t wave me away this time but neither did she respond. Who knows, I thought, it may be a word for the others around her too.
Yesterday, partaking in Jewish tradition, I sadly shoveled dirt upon Hilda’s simple pine coffin. The rabbi called this Gemilut Hasadim, “an act of kindness that can’t be repaid”.
God’s kindness to me though, was that moment of ‘restraint’ – an inner upstirring – that left my dear friend with words of eternal value.
The apostle Peter warned, “the end of all things is near”. Beloved John wrote, “Dear children, this is the last hour…” Agreeing with Bible teacher Zac Poonen, if, 2000 years ago was the last hour, we must surely be living in the last seconds before Christ’s return!
For true believers in Jesus Christ, those who strive to live as a branch connected to the Vine and a sheep pressing near to the Shepherd, I pray for a fresh awakening. Before any other role or occupation, may we see ourselves as the Body of Christ in this world, interfacing with ordinary people, under ordinary circumstances yet availing ourselves to God’s upstirring, God’s leading and restraint. We may not pass by fishermen or women by a well, but perhaps a stranger on a park bench, a mother in the grocery line, a student on the train.
We’re living in the last seconds, I pray we fulfill our ‘assignments’ and ‘appointments’ before the Lord returns! Pray for unsaved family members…but be an answer to someone else’s prayer. May the Lord break down every flimsy dam that blocks the Holy Spirit flow through us and let these last seconds count!
theburninglampdotcom 
Every moment can be a God moment, if we will let it. Thank you for sharing this! Blessings, Mandy
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Thanks Mandy, it’s good to hear from you! 🌹
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A much-needed reminder to all believers. We must not only fulfill our assignments and appointments, but must ask the Lord to let us know that we even have them! Many Christians are oblivious to this. Great and moving post, Lisa Beth!
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Good points -thanks David! I really appreciate your visit and comments.
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I am sorry for your loss Lisa…God truly used you, and because you were faithful in speaking what God wanted Hilda to hear, there is hope that she has received salvation. I’ve found myself in these moments also, with my great uncle before he died. I was able to be at his side and pray over him, as well as another uncle of mine who was in a car accident. I choose to believe in hope, God is Good afterall. God bless you!
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Thank you so much Smiley Riley, I really appreciate your kind words. May God water every seed we’ve planted and joyfully surprise us in His Kingdom. Thank you again, may the Lord bless you also. 🌹
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Lisa. This is a reminder that we should answer the nudges God gives. Praying with you – “May the Lord break down every flimsy dam that blocks the Holy Spirit flow through us and let these last seconds count!”
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Your kind words are so appreciated, thank you Trudy! Trusting the Lord to answer that prayer,
may He continue to inspire and encourage you. 🌹
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What a wonderful admonition sister Lisa! We indeed must hold on the urgency of Gods return. Your obedience to the Lords restraint will not go without blessing. God knows how to rescue those lost and no doubt dear Hilda.
Thank you for being obedient to His leading! I truly believe there will be many surprises awaiting us when we reach heaven. Hilda May be one of them. God bless you friend!
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I am so grateful for your fellowship thru these posts. Thank you. May we all, as His Body, walk closer to Him as these end days speed toward His coming.
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“Hilda, consider Jesus as your Messiah! Turn to Him for forgiveness of sins. Be ready for the moment you meet God!”
God used you for that lost moment for your friend to tell her the good news. That is good that you allowed the Holy Spirit to use you.
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Thank you so much brother, I appreciate your kind and encouraging words!
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It was my pleasure 🙂
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Lisa. You loved her and were patient with her – you were Christ to her. Well done, good and faithful servant. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will comfort you in your grief.
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I’m so sorry for your loss.
You may never know how much the seeds you planted grew. I know she appreciated your friendship and kindness.
Prayers and blessings to you~
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Thank you so much Robbye, I really appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers. 🌹
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You are so very welcome.
Blessings and prayers~🙏
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A needed reminder to us all Lisa Beth, thanks for sharing dear sister.
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Thanks so much brother Ashley! So good to hear from you. 🕊
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This site looks very interesting and encouraging. I would like to become a regular reader. what can I do to sign up?
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Hello Erlene, thanks for your visit and comment. If you find the ‘Follow’ tab and press it, it should ask for email address to sign up. 🙂
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