The Story of Faithful Don
Don was a dear friend and neighbor for over 20 years. He was always praising and proclaiming the wonder of our Lord and Savior. In fact, Don helped me with my spiritual journey several times by giving me insight to scripture and passage references.
Over those 20 years, Don suffered from multiple heart issues as well as several bouts with cancer. During these last few years of his life, Don would say, “I don’t know why the Lord doesn’t take me.” I would always respond, “because your work on Earth isn’t finished.”
One Friday, Don called me, and I answered my phone by saying, “what’s wrong Don, do you have another snake in the house?” He would always call me if he saw anything that resembled a snake. He was frightened to death of snakes. So, it came as a surprise when he responded that he was calling from the hospital. We had a short talk and I told him I would see him on Sunday.
Saturday morning came and something told me I needed to see Don immediately. I went to the hospital early and we started telling each other about our childhood through adulthood experiences, jobs, schooling, how we came to find the Lord, and much more.
Don finally said, “I have to tell you this story.” Don went on to say that he was a member of a golf club in Indianapolis, IN and all the members knew that he was a very Faithful follower of the Lord. One Friday, Don got a message from the Lord. He was to get a golf lesson at 3 pm. Don ignored what the Lord had placed on him and went back to work. Finally on the third message, Don called the Pro and scheduled a lesson for 3PM.
Don showed up and he and the Pro went to the practice tee. Don had started hitting balls when the Pro interrupted him by saying “My life is in complete shambles and I don’t know what to do.” Don turned to him and said, “Are you ready to commit your life to the Lord?” The Pro responded, “YES.” So together in a secluded spot on the golf course, the Pro asked Jesus to take control of his life.
When the commitment was completed, the Pro asked Don what he should do now. Don replied by saying, “go home and tell your family that you’ve given God control of your life,” and so he did. Upon arriving home, he told his wife what happened, and she began to cry.
She cried so much and so long that he was concerned as to why she was crying… almost out of control. She finally stopped long enough to tell him that at 3 pm that afternoon she and five other women from church were in their parlor praying for him to find his way to Jesus. This just happened to be the exact time that the Lord called Don to the golf course for the lesson that turned into a life changing experience for the pro.
It is my strong belief that on that Friday when I received my call from Don from the hospital, he knew he was dying and that his last task while here on Earth was to pass this story on to me so that I could keep it alive. Don went into a coma on Sunday and then onto Heaven on Monday. I truly miss seeing him and the Joy that was in him.
The power of prayer, it’s awesome.