Friday, October 25, 2013
I met Josh quite a few years ago, back in 2002, when he was just a young fella in his early twenties. He brought his dog, Dequila, a Husky cross, in to the Sussex Animal Hospital to have quills removed. He cared dearly for that dog and was very concerned for Dequila's well being.
At that time, Josh told me that he had recently returned to Sussex, from Alberta and was living on Jordan Mt at the family home. I remember having the impression, that Josh would have liked to have stayed in NB, but that work was scarce. Of course, I never heard from Josh again and I now know that he returned to Alberta around 2005.
Over the years, since I met Josh at the Animal Hospital, I have met, probably thousands of people, and most of them do not stick in my memory and I couldn't remember them if my life depended on it, but Josh stuck out in my mind, as a few others do, also. You probably know what I mean, there are people who just stick out in your mind. Only God knows why. I remember him as a very pleasant young man and I enjoyed talking with him. For me to remember this, is pretty remarkable, because I can't remember my own name, some days, well maybe not quite that bad, but you get the picture.
I probably would never have heard of Josh's passing, had I not gone to church at the Salvation Army on Sunday, October 6/13. When the pastor announced Josh's passing and asked for prayer, I immediately remembered him and felt a tremendous sorrow for his family. I am sure that my compassion, partly came from the fact that my son Jason, passed on, on July 12, 2013. I don't know if my son, Jason, and your Josh, every met or knew each other while living in Sussex, but I bet they know each other now.
On October 1 or 2, I was awakened very early in the morning and was compelled to pray for those who would be passing on. I had no idea who I was praying for. I just knew that it was urgent. I prayed, with much anguish, for approximately two hours before I fell back asleep. As I fell asleep, I remember feeling a peace and I was glad. I believe that according to 2 Peter 3:9 that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." and that is what I pray in accordance with. What God desires never conflicts with what He causes to come to pass.
I believe that God gave Josh as much time as he needed to make amends before taking him home. I also believe the same for my son, Jason. God kept Jason alive for approximately six hours after his accident. That was time enough for me to get to the Moncton hospital to pray and enlist many people to pray. After much pray for Jason and begging God for his life to be spared and for him to be "saved" in the spiritual sense, I was led to pray, "Whatever Your Will is, Lord". Shortly after that, a tear rolled down Jason's cheek and his arm, which had been nice and warm, started to turn cold. As long as his body had been warm, I had hope, and initially I thought I was imagining things when his temperature started to cool, but no, his spirit was probably looking down on us as I was coming to the realization that God's Will had been done and that I would have to accept His Will.
Jason was your typical young man, not unlike Josh. Jason's birth date was March 8, 1982. Jason's need for employment and his love of snowboarding took him out west to Whistler, BC in 2005. He has a 9 year old daughter, Savannah, who presently lives in BC with her mother and brother. Jason had been separated from them since March, 2013 and missed them terribly. I only realized that Josh had a daughter when I read his obituary this afternoon. Their little girls being separated from their Dads, is one of the hardest parts for me and when I start to tear up thinking about it, I have to remember, Romans 8:28 "All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
Jason and Josh may not have been living a Godly life, according to our societal values, but Jason had a heart of gold and I think Josh probably did also, if my memory serves me right. I think that is why Josh sticks out in my memory. As children, they were brought up as Christians and to believe that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and in the Bible, it says in Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)"6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." and also Acts 16:31 "They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." My hope is that we will meet Josh and Jason and all our loved ones, in due time, in that wonderful place we refer to as Heaven. And you know, it's the only hope we have, if we expect to continue on and be productive for ourselves and our families and preserve Josh and Jason's memories with dignity. Josh and Jason's passing has left a gigantic hole in our lives that can only be filled by hope and faith that our spirits live on.
I hope you receive some comfort from what I have shared with you. I know it has given me some comfort to share my thoughts with you. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless!!
