My times are in your hands.
Psalm 31:15
As I was filling out paperwork to have my medical records sent to a new doctor I noticed something unusual. Under “date of birth” was the heading “date of death.” I could have been clever and written “only God knows”, but I instead I just left it blank and moved on. But the question made me wonder: what if I did know my “date of death”? Would I be living differently?
Yesterday was the “date of death” for our dear family friend Bill Frey. Bill helped shape me into the person I am today. His quiet generosity made it possible for me to go on mission trips to third world countries as a teenager. These mission trips opened my eyes to a level of poverty I never knew existed. My mom says I never complained about my clothes again after returning home. I didn’t know at the time that it was Bill who had provided the way for me to go, but I was aware of many other ways he blessed my family.
My dad worked for a small church in the suburbs of Boston from the time I was ten until I was twenty. Bill Frey and his family welcomed and cared for all of us as if we were their own family. Because of Bill, I have wonderful memories of being in their home, swimming in their pool, and going with them on vacation to Nantucket. They exemplified 1 Timothy 1:18-19:
Command them to do good, be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. — Paul
Bill Frey made great investments assuring treasures in heaven, and he did take hold of the “life that is truly life.”
Dedicated to Bunny and Melissa
Enjoyed this post very inspirational thank you for sharing.
Oh boy do I love this story! Reminds me of a story of my own. We were having a spaghetti dinner at our church to raise funds for our mission trip to Russia. There was a visitor there that morning. He came to me after the dinner while I was helping clean up, and told me the Lord put on his heart to cover the rest of my need for the trip! I still needed $630 dollars. As God took care of my needs, I was able to take my portions of funds raised and give it to my other team members! God made away for all of us to go! I trained 7 Clowns that time! We were able to share God’s love to children at 6 orphanages!