GRAVEYARD PASTOR

Mrs. Brown was a Christian woman that we met at the nursing home where we held Sunday services for the residents. Mrs. Brown had a song request for my husband. He wasn’t able to play it for her on the day she asked, but over the next few weeks he learned the song she wanted to hear. We went to her room, guitar in hand, and he played her song, Peace In the Valley, along with many other hymns. The three of us worshiped the Lord together right there in her room. You could truly sense the presence of the Lord that day. She told my husband that he was her graveyard pastor and that she wanted him to share the Word of God at her funeral service. An interesting and appropriate phrase I thought, considering we ministered to many who are in their last days of life on this earth. Mrs. Brown died and went to be with the Lord just a few short weeks later, and, as she requested, my husband shared God’s word at her going home service.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

GRAVEYARD PASTOR – A Poem

She came to church, though wheelchair bound.

For service, dressed so fine.

And when the preacher, preached the Word,

She shouted “take your time.”

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We looked for her, when Sunday came,

She loved her Jesus so.

This church we had, imagine that,

Was in a nursing home.

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Old Mrs. Brown, one day she asked,

The preacher, play a song.

A song unknown, we had to learn,

But knew it before long.

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Guitar in hand, we were prepared,

She heard her song, so dear.

Up in her room, we sang and praised,

and sensed that death was near.

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My graveyard pastor, that you are,

My husband heard her say.

You preach the word, just like I’ve heard,

You do it every day.

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A way with words she had, but yet,

You’d hardly see a frown.

A story told, that once she said,

“Time has slow walked me down.”

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It wasn’t long, before she’d gone,

With love our hearts did swell.

And preach he did, when gathered all,

To say their last farewell.

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So now the place, where she would sit,

Is empty, she’s not there.

But grateful are we to the Lord,

Her life we had to share.

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This ministry to old and sick,

A gift from God to me.

The ministry from them to us,

Much greater, now I see.

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Peace in the Valley’s melody,

That was upon her heart.

One last request from Mrs. Brown,

So glad we had a part.

Cathy White 2007 ©

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.