"IT
IS WELL WITH MY SOUL" - #35
Written
by Johanna Hobrath
(May
2, 2002) In 1951, a 13-year-old-girl came to America. This
girl attended the same church that Charlotte attended. Also, this
girl sat with her mom and dad in a church pew during the Sunday morning
services. In front of that church 
pew,
Charlotte and her husband would sit and also participate faithfully in
the Sunday morning services. The girl continued to attend the
church services where her grandmother and Charlotte were charter members
many years ago.
The
girl grew up and became a Christ Ambassador Youth Leader for several
years. Her abilities and talents brought her acclaim from the
youth group and other church-going people. I wonder what Charlotte
thought about the young lady?
The
young lady married a Christian soldier at the church that Charlotte
attended. Her first-born son was dedicated at the church where
Charlotte attended. In 1968 to 1977 the young lady moved to New
Jersey with her husband and son. In 1977 she returned with her
husband and two sons, and continued to attend Charlotte's
church.
Charlotte
had become a widow when her husband passed away during his 50+ years of
age. However, Charlotte continued faithfully to attend her
church. The young lady again joined the choir. One day, it
was decided that the choir ladies were to sew blue, long, silk-like
dresses for the special musical presentation that was presented to the
congregation. The young lady also complied with the unanimous
decision. What a sight that was when the ladies in look-alike,
long, blue, silk-like dresses adorned the choir loft during the musical
presentation!
Charlotte
continued to faithfully serve the Lord with her singing talent, her
intercessory praying, and reaching souls for the Heavenly Kingdom.
Over
the years, Charlotte, a refined and always well-dressed lady, grew much
older. A time came when Charlotte agreed to make her home with a
Christian family where an elderly mom, a daughter, and son-in-law
included her into the family circle. She remained in that loving
circle for four years and, then, spent a few months in a nursing home.
Today,
May 2, 2002, I saw Charlotte resting peacefully. The blue,
silk-like dress that she wore with the choir group so long ago,
adorned her lifeless body. I and my husband sat in the funeral
parlor, as well as many other people (that we have known for a number
of decades) and paid our final respect to the 96-year old Charlotte.
When
Charlotte and her husband had a home many years ago, a minister and
his wife lived in Charlotte's downstairs house. The same
evangelist/minister conducted the lovely and memorable service today.
This
web page is being written because God placed upon my heart today to
speak to a young lady that was sitting next to me at the funeral
parlor. I began conversing with Lynne. Lynne told me that
Charlotte had been so kind and allowed her, her husband, and their
one-year old child to live in Charlotte's downstairs dwelling
place. Lynne accepted Jesus into her heart and life because
Charlotte shared her prayers and the Salvation Plan with her.
And, now, Lynne and her family are attending a Baptist church.
The
funeral service of the beloved Charlotte was uplifting and joyous.
At the beginning of the service, the song -
"IT IS WELL WITH
MY SOUL" - brought
a soothing melody to one's heart. The minister stated that we all
make a choice for living in a "smoking" or
"non-smoking" eternity.
Charlotte
is now rejoicing with the many saints in Heaven; and, I am sure, Jesus
welcomed her to the Glorious Home. PSALM
100 states:
"Make
a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with
gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye
that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter
into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all
generations."
The
following poem is entitled "HIS ABIDING LOVE".
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HIS
ABIDING
LOVE
My
child, I see your pain
I
see your need
Your
crying heart
Your
flowing tears.
Bring
them to the cross
At
Calvary's Tree
Where
you find solace
That
sets the heart to be free.
Stay
strong in painful times
Stay
strong in joyous times
And
know that God above
Surrounds
you with His Daily Love.
Until
you enter the Glorious Home
Where
I shall wipe away the tears that flow
Today
abide with Me
Bring
your burdens to Calvary.
And
be assured
That
God sees every need
Because
He is Truth, the Way, and the Life
For
all Eternity!
LOVE,
THE
REDEEMER, THE
SAVIOUR, THE
FRIEND,
THE
SOON-COMING KING JESUS!
HALO
(May 3, 2002)
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