I just finished listening to show 63 where John Eaves testified to his faith in God after receiving news of his terminal illness. He mentioned how he now recognized God's preparation for this months before he found out something was wrong.
This reminded me of some
highly unusual ways that God had prepared us for a close friend's sudden death in a roll-over car accident that I'd like to share. His name was Scott Pedersen and he died in 1995.
- One of church members did the Ray Boltz song "Thank You (for giving to the Lord)", which tells about a man who died and went to heaven. In the song, those who came to Christ through that man and were with him in heaven came to him and thanked him for "giving to the Lord". Of all the people in the church, the singer called Scott up to the front and sang it to him.
- The last time Scott's uncle saw him alive, he recorded him on video and his last words on the video were "See you in heaven".
- While our pastor, Jeff Taguchi, was driving to the city, he had this strange premonition of death. Then he saw Scott passing him going the other way, then the premonition went away. This was the last time our pastor saw Scott. (Scott was the one who brought Jeff to us.)
- The night before Scott died, on leaving a friend's house where he ate frequently, Scott thanked them for the food and hospitality, something he normally didn't do.
- The day Scott died was Father's Day. His daughter Stacy gave him a Father's Day card which said:
"May God keep you alive till He comes,
but if He doesn't, I just wanted you
to know that I (love) you."
I still have a photo-copy of the card.
- The first time we saw his body the day of the accident, before it was prepared, pastor Jeff and I noticed right away that he had his characteristic smile on his face (which was gone at the funeral).
While his death was a hardship for us (and especially his wife and children), I definitely sensed God's closeness that time.
By another strange coincidence, this radio show episode was recorded for a Father's Day weekend.
