Farewell to A Dear Friend

Dying in Christ: And What It Means to Bear One
Another's Burdens

Final thoughts and Journey of Richard Miller

Monday, September 21, 2009

Waiting

Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted"

The weekend Joe and I went up to check on Richard at his home in San Marcos, to our great concern we realized that something was not right. We were just a few blocks away from his house when Richard came to pick us up. On the way back to his house Richard was too weak to drive back, so he asked if I could drive us there.

From that moment on all of our efforts and focus was on helping Richard and getting the answers he so desperately needed from the doctors as to what was going on with his health.

The next day on Monday, September 21st I took Richard to the VA for a previously scheduled appointment with his doctor. He was previously scheduled for a procedure and we had thought it was to be on that day. It was not. We arrived there about an hour early, and found ourselves talking about the Lord and his departure from this life. More specifically, Richard talked about his "homecoming."

Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2 came to his mind as he discussed the power of God in all aspects of His creation and the stages of life from conception to death. "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." (Richard's words emphasized here in bold)

Silence wrapped around us for a few moments as he meditated on the meaning of this verse. Patients came in and out of the doctor's offices and family members sat around us in the waiting room. A nice couple sat down to my left and listened to our conversation with great interest. Richard's eyes brightened with interest as he noticed them watching and listening to us.

What started off this spirited discussion was the subject of health care and President Obama's plan to reform the whole health care system. Richard asked what the term "hospital" means and where is this word derived from? More importantly, where in scripture does the terms hospital and hospitality fit in in accordance with God and His people, in terms of one anothering, and being our brother's keeper?

After some thought, the Lord brought to mind His words in Matthew 25: 34-37: "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink: When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the Kind will answer and say to them, "Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as You did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

As soon as Richard heard these words, he was moved deeply to tears. For a few moments he said nothing as he meditated on the impact of these scriptures. "That's it! these verses really ties in well e
Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Richard Edward Miller
March 17, 1938 - October 5, 2009xplicitly with what the whole concept of hospitals and hospitality, are all about."

During these moments Richard was interrupted by several bouts of intense pain raging throughout his body. As the pain subsided, his face relaxed and the joy of the Lord overcame him.

Remembering and Transformation

As we navigated our way in and out of the emergency room and doctor's offices, managing the physical discomforts associated with his illness took top priority each day. Along the way Richard witnessed to patients, doctors and nurses, as well as his neighbors.

When the results came back from his CT Scan indicating the presence of cancer, the medical personnel were stunned by his joyous response and words over his imminent departure: "I'm going home! I'm going home!" It was quite clear that the doctors and nurses were not at all expecting such a positive response to these heartbreaking news, and that in itself, gave God the glory and spoke so wondrously through this overwhelming moment. The staff worried about how Richard would take this diagnosis, but, it was Richard who gave them comfort and testimony through his response.

Later that evening when we were back at the house, Richard asked me to read from God's Word to him. Psalm 103: 14 came to mind: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust."

Richard repeated these words aloud: "For He knoweth our frame; He remembers that we are dust." A few days later Joe and Caleb came up to spend time with him and to express their love for him. Before the evening was through Joe and Richard cried as they spoke of their deep friendship and feelings over the closing of their earthly bond.

Words of Thanks and Love for Church Family of Zion

As Richard and Joe closed their visit Richard best summed up his feelings for all of his church family in Zion as also expressed by the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21-23: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. (don't know) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."

Richard asked me to read the beautiful handmade card presented to him by Elder Gamble's daughter and the loving thoughts by everyone in Zion. He was profoundly touched by all of the love and appreciation expressed to him in it. Please know and be assured of his deep love and regard for each and every one of you, dear church family. Your love and prayers sustained him until the very end.

Richard wished he could have seen and spoke with all of you in his remaining days and hours, but his body started to give out on him. It was most painful deciding whom to see and talk with, as he loved each and every one of you most fervently.

But it greatly encouraged him to know that his ministry and REM will live on in the lives of those whom he has touched along the way. Here are some closing thoughts as we all reflect as a family on his passing and the joy he found along the way: 1 Corinthians 15: 58: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."