Ridgell's Originals

 Melinda and Angel never met as far as I know, yet they are linked together for eternity because of Jesus.

Melinda just died from cancer. It was a long two year journey.  She had her ups and downs emotionally as you would expect, but she maintained a remarkable faith right up until the end.  She has been a believer for over 50 years.  Been married to a believer for almost 50 years.  Raised their three kids, loved her grandkids.  Her husband farmed across the road for my in-laws and that is how we got to know them. 

I learned a lot about prayer from Melinda.  We prayed for healing and God gave her more than a year longer than the Doctors expected.  And she would have us pray for God to let her live to witness different events.  Graduations or special trips.  He granted many of those requests.  

Angel is a friend of ours from our Jesus journey class at Hillcrest.  She loved Jesus and had tried off and on to follow him but never quite got it all together.  But her best friend and best friend's husband were coming to the class and invited her to come with them.  She talked quite a bit with Chris, a member of our class she worked with.  She came over and visited with Marsha and I about her journey.  Some of the believers in the jouney class had traveled roads much like hers and that helped show her the power of Jesus to heal broken lives.  

Angel made the decision to give her life to Jesus and was baptized.

And here is how Angel and Melinda are connected.  Anita, one of Melinda's best friends, is in the journey class.  My wife Marsha is in the class and of course she knew Melinda.  So often in our class we would pray for Melinda.  Hearing Melinda's story inspired Angel to start praying for her every day.  And we told Melinda about the Journey class.  And about Angel and the decision she was making.  

Melinda helping reach people from her deathbed.  Angel begining her walk praying for someone she didn't even know.

They will meet in heaven.  It will be glorious.

And last night, about the same time, two holy moments occured.  Melinda went home to spend her life with Jesus.  And Angel was born again.

Both of them are really happy today.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM