We received word last night that a dear pastor friend had passed away. It is because of the love of this man and his wife for me and my family that I can call heaven my future home.

Our first meeting was memorable. Lessa – at that time she must have been all of 5 years old – ran into the house as I was nursing the infant dragonfly to tell me that “that man said he was going to hang me!”

Nothing can get me up and on my feet quicker than knowing that someone was threatening to hurt my baby – down the street I went – dressed in a knit halter top and shorts – to confront the man who would do such a thing. . . .

. . . only to find a gentle man cheerfully rolling up his fishing line onto his spool. It seems that my gorlie and her friends were riding their bikes up and down the sidewalk while he was feeding out the fishing line (getting ready for a fishing trip). He told them “be careful or you’ll get hung up in the line.”

The intricacies of a 5 year old mind – she and her friends heard only that he was going to hang them.

Embarrassment set in – because I had come unglued over a perceived threat – because I was standing in the presence of a man of God in clothing which left little to the imagination – well, you get the picture.

We became friends with that family. Their youngest daughter babysat for us quite often. And on a nearly daily basis Pastor Dick and his wife, Ginny, would come to my house for coffee. He always had this big black Book with him – and no matter what question I had or what problem I had, he found an answer there in that Book.

Before long our family began attending his small church. Before long I opened my heart to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Before much longer our family had packed up and moved to Alaska to work with another small church.

Lots has happened since that time. There have been times when none of us served the Lord as He would have us serve. There have also been wonderful times of blessings and faith-growing experiences.

All because of a man who was going to “hang” my daughter and her friends.

All because Christ loved me enough to die for me.

Rest in peace, Pastor Dick. I’ll see you in the morning.