Marshall "Smoke" Poore, was a wonderful neighbor and friend to Rick and I for many years. He was more that just a neighbor, he and his wife Agnes had become our extended family. Smoke took great pride in his gigantic garden, supplying friends and family with delectable veggies for many years.
Rick and Smoke enjoyed hours of bonding and friendship, as they shared a brew or two, at the picnic table under their huge shade tree. Rick and I adored spending time, listening to Smoke share their outlandish, fishing, crabbing and stories of their youth. Agnes would compassionately nod her head in agreement, as Smoke held our attention.
After a decade into this loving relationship, Smoke was diagnosed with cancer. Smoke was a fighter, he battled this disease with every ounce, of his mighty bigger than life strength. During the last week of Smoke earthly life, his sister-law, Marion, invited Pastor Tom from her church, St Paul`s United Methodist, to call on Smoke.
I was sitting in Smoke`s kitchen with Agnes, when Pastor Tom came to visit. In the privacy of their bedroom, Smoke and Pastor Tom spent precious time together.
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Smoke was a caring loving, husband, father, grandfather and friend with a tough guy exterior, but the heart of a gentle giant. I went home that day, declaring to Rick, that I did not want to go through my life, only to receive God`s grace, love and mercy on my death bed.
Smoke`s life, friendship and death was the beginning of our true desire to develop a living lasting relationship with our Lord. Rick and I soon visited, Pastor Tom at St Paul`s, where we joined and worshipped for several years.
We have since moved our membership to a neighboring church, but St Paul`s will always be our home church and family, as God gently reminded me today! Today, I was invited to attend a morning women`s retreat and time of sharing and fellowship at St. Paul`s.
At the last minute the featured speaker cancelled because of illness; leaving the organizers, Janet and Jane, scrambling to fill this time of fellowship. However, as God does, in His glory He took control. The morning was delightful, spending time discussing and reading Exodus 13-14, singing and sharing personal testimonies of faith.
I even got to share what God has done in my life, through faith and obedience, how He has lead me into a closer intimate relationship with Him. Janet allowed me to lead the group into a peaceful, soaking time of closing prayer. What a true blessing to share, with my home church, my continued living walk of faith, grace and God`s mercy in my life.
Ephesians 1:4-6 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Amen!
Today as Rick and I ran errands, for the first time in over 4 years, we ran into Smoke`s granddaughter, Marshell. Was that a co-inky-dink, or had I just received one of my favorite, all approving GOD winks!
Isaiah 25:1 O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
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