Saluting the saints

The past 24 hours have been among the saddest for our Corps. While we grieve, we cannot help but thank God for the privilege of serving alongside some wonderful saints.

Margery
Margery Hodgen died early yesterday morning. She sat in our church in the front row each week, usually next to Spencer. I remember tearing up seeing her come to the mercy seat one week, wheeled by Spencer. Margery will be remembered for her softly spoken fervour for the Lord, her extraordinary prayer life, her faith in the Lord and her all-of-life witness to his greatness.

Willy
Willy Kiessling died at lunch time yesterday. We are still in shock. Willy was a woman of the Word, having attended Bible college in her younger days and being a keen attender of the Monday ladies' Bible study whenever health permitted. She smiled even when she was in pain. Correction - she beamed even when in pain. She loved working in the thrift shop, and loved every chance she had to do even the smallest things that may help the children's ministries of our church. At times she knew the worst of circumstances, but her faith never left her. This is a woman who taught us about resilience, persistence, patience and graciousness.

Uncle Dick
My friend Uncle Dick also died on the weekend. He was one of the most beautiful men I ever met. I had the privilege of sitting near him in the Preston band for a number of years - I was on the end of the cornet bench, and he was on the end of the horn bench so we were beside each other. He exuded Jesus Christ in every encounter you had with him. He wanted the world to know his saviour and he started with his family, then the people of our Corps in Melbourne, and then anyone who would listen. An utter gentlemen and a saint, Envoy Richard Collett OF has left a massive hole in the ranks of The Salvation Army with his passing.

So we stop. We take a deep breath. We pray for the families and others concerned. We cry. Most of all we celebrate: We are a fortunate people that have met wonderful saints on our journey and God has allowed us to serve alongside them.

To you alone, O Lord, to you alone, and not to us, must glory be given because of your constant love and faithfulness. (Psalm 115:1) That was the testimony of Margery, Willy and Uncle Dick. It has to be ours, too.