My friend Peg fell in her apartment hurting her right leg badly several weeks ago, and was hospitalized with serious complications. A tiny lady of 92, I became acquainted with her when we ate together at the retirement facility. I liked Peg. Perhaps it was her New England accent, her interesting stories of world travels, or her feisty personality. In our dining room, a prayer is placed on each table and someone offers to read the grace at mealtime. But Peg never offered to say the prayer. I was surprised a few weeks ago when she did.

I visited her a few times in the nursing home but she was not doing well. Then last Tuesday I heard that her condition had worsened and death was imminent. On Wednesday afternoon the Lord impressed upon me that I should go that evening and visit Peg. After dinner I hurried to my apartment, wondering what I should do. I thought of the story of the lost sheep and how the shepherd found his sheep and carried it home. I decided I would read that to Peg if the opportunity came.

I was greeted at the door by a lovely young lady, Diane, Peg's power of attorney. She invited me into the room, telling Peg, "Eleanor is here to see you." Peg wore an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth and her eyes were closed. She made no response. I took her hand and spoke to her. "God loves you Peg, and He wants to bring you home. God is a forgiving, loving God, and has promised to forgive your sins because Jesus died for you." After a short prayer I started to read: "Suppose the shepherd has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and carries it home." I said, "Jesus has come to take you home, Peg. As He carried the lost sheep home, he will carry you home to be with Him."

I began to sing softly, "Coming home, coming home, Never more to roam, Open wide thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming home." I sang it a second time. Diane was weeping and so was I. Suddenly Peg looked at me, her eyes bright and shining. She reached over with her other hand and took mine.

God's loving presence was in that room.

Peg began to talk to me, but because of the mask I could not understand what she said. I lingered a little longer, told her I would see her in Heaven, and said goodbye. At the door Diane took my phone number and said she would be in touch. As I left my heart filled with praise at what God had done that night in that little nursing home room.

Several days passed. On Sunday Diane left a message on my answering machine: "We lost Peg this morning at 2 A.M. Thank you ever so much for visiting her on Wednesday evening. It did me a world of good and I am sure it did Peg as well. I will keep you informed about her memorial service."

I believe building a friendship for over a year with Peg was the key to this story. Somewhere in the depths of all of us, old as well as young, there is a thirst to know God. Christians need to be alert for any opportunity to witness that the Holy Spirit brings our way.

Eleanor W. Cunningham

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.