We have all heard the saying that “life can change in the blink of an eye”. One weekend in June was a topsy-turvy weekend that emulated this saying. We experienced two days of incredible highs and terrible lows.
On the Friday night, we had witnessed the baptism of two young men, who had grown up in the Adventist church. Their decision for baptism was made at one of our Seventh-day Adventist schools. This was the best example of our church and school working together to bring young people to the Lord.
Then on Sabbath, another great high. My second granddaughter Chloe was born! We were so happy to have a new baby in the family. She came without fuss, perfect and beautiful.
Then on Sunday, in the blink of an eye, tragedy struck. Our good church friend Sandra McCutcheon passed away from a major stroke, suddenly and without warning. We had had a wonderful Sabbath together, enjoying Sandra’s company at Epping church, not knowing that it would be our last. Sandra and Alan had been married more than 50 years and for the last seven of them, been members of our church.
They had transferred to Epping church from a neighbouring church, and had become Seventh-day Adventists as mature people, having diligently studied the Word and decided that our faith community was right for them. Sandra was the kindest and most unselfish person. Someone who would put the welfare of others before her own. Someone who you could count on to help with kitchen duty, to visit the sick and help those in need. Sandra and Alan would regularly go Sabbath afternoon door knocking, handing out leaflets, meeting and praying with people.
Over the weekend we experienced life at its beginning and at its end all in a matter of a few hours. It reinforced that life is birth and death and that in the short time in between, what you make of it must count. It’s our relationship with God that makes a difference to our lives and can have an impact on family and community.
As Christian Adventists, we want to be able to say of our lives, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Vale Sandra, until the great resurrection morning.
