We were Co-pastors in Logan Utah. One of our church families were the Kruse’s, Jakob and Erna. John and I would go together to visit them. Erna would show John into the room with Jakob to talk and she would take me into the den. She would sit there, often holding my hand and talking about her life, how she and Jakob met and courted, (a great story for another time) and always, always always she wanted to know why God took their son Peter when he was so young. He was a Navy pilot who got shot down in the Vietnam war. His picture was beautifully displayed and he was, as Erna said, “A really handsome young lad. And such a dear son.”
When John would sit with Jakob he would often posit a theological question to John. Where does the Wind come from and where does it go? Gospel of John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going: so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Jakob wanted a more logical answer. Sort of. He and John could spend 40 minutes going back and forth with word games and plays on the text. It was amazing. Jakob was 101 at the time.
Erna was a fragile gentle spirit. She had been diagnosed with cancer 6 years ago but said that she told God she refused to die before Jakob because she promised always to take care of him. That wish was granted her. They were a beautiful simple couple.
One Sunday at church, it may have been the last time Jakob could come, after a hymn before the sermon he stood to speak, unfurling his bent body until he was tall and straight, and said in a strong voice, ” There is something I need to say to my church.’ I signaled him to please go on. He said, It’s getting a littler harder all the time for me to get to church. We don’t move as quickly as we did a few years ago. BUT THIS I KNOW! My week is always better when I am able to come to church and hear the Gospel preached, the music sung, and the smiles from the family here. So as long as you can come to church….YOU MUST COME.” ‘
I have zero memory of what the text was for that Sunday. I have no idea what I might possibly have said after that witness. I just wanted to say…amen..let’s think about this… and be silent. I do know that after 25 years I still can see him standing there.
I am retired now after 42 years in ministry. After the Covid worship at home times I sometimes find it hard to get my Sunday act together and actually go to church. I do worship online and have found a way for that to be a sacred time for me. Even so, I hear Jakob in my ear.. You must come. I think he’s right.
*God abide with you Bobbie. Giltz McGarey, Feb 21, 2023, Easton, PA
The Spirit Will Tell You 