God Sent His Angel

        Martha Rhodes has always been one of our church’s “quiet faithful.”  Martha was always present, always active and involved, yet she was so quiet and unassuming you probably didn’t notice her.  Her father was a Baptist minister and she understood the life of a pastor, a fact that led us to have a close relationship from the beginning. 

        Martha experienced tragedy and sadness in her life.  Her son, Ricky, died of a massive heart-attack in the mid-1990s and her husband, Richard, also died.  But you never heard Martha complaining; she continued to be active in the church and community and was faithful in all her spiritual commitments.

        We learned last Wednesday that Martha’s sister died.  Tommy called Martha to see if she would be home, we wanted to stop by and visit with her.  “You don’t need to do that,” she said.  “It’s the day before Thanksgiving.  I know you are busy.”  That was Martha.

        Tommy and I had a good visit with Martha and caught up on everything that was going on in her family.  The funeral was Saturday and Martha’s other sister and brother-in-law from Pennsylvania came down to attend.

        Martha had not been feeling well, but she never complained.  She did have several health issues, but you wouldn’t know it if you talked to her. Because she did not feel well, she listened to the worship service on the radio Sunday morning.  If you recall, I talked about how fragile life is.  “You never know” when sadness and tragedy will come.  But when tragedy does come, God will send his angels. 

        Sunday evening, Martha’s son Chris and granddaughter Elizabeth came to the house along with Martha’s sister and her husband.  They were going out to eat and spend time together before Martha’s sister headed back home.  Martha probably didn’t feel like going to eat, but she never mentioned it.  She wanted to be with her family. 

        Walking out to get in the car, Martha collapsed.  She was not breathing.  Chris and his uncle performed CPR until the ambulance arrived.  Martha was taken to Lexington Medical Center and then transferred to Baptist Hospital.  She was on life-support.  Early Tuesday morning the doctors told Chris that no brain activity could be detected.  Tommy and I went to Winston and we were all with Martha when the machines were disconnected.  Her breathing stopped in a few minutes. 

        When I was with the family Sunday night, Chris told me that his mother had listened to the service that morning on the radio.  “She told me all about it,” he said.  “She talked about God sending his angels.” 

        There is no doubt in my mind that Sunday night when Martha collapsed in the drive, God sent his angel to bring one of his most faithful children home. 

        Martha we love you and we will miss you.  But we know you are rejoicing with your family in your eternal home.