This week I received the latest issue of Preacher Talk, a publication for preachers produced by Cecil May Jr., the Dean Emeritus and Professor, College of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL.  I have always enjoyed and benefited from reading this publication.  But I was especially interested in the contents of this issue because I knew that Bro. May’s wife, Winnie, had passed away only about one month ago.  In light of the loss of his wonderful wife, what would Bro. May write?

I began reading the short articles on page one.  As with every edition of Preacher Talk, I was reminded of some profound biblical teachings, learned some new things, and even laughed at some quips – including a “Winnie-ism.”  Yet, I found myself asking, “But how are you doing, Bro. May?  Tell us what Winnie meant to you.”

Then in my reading I came to the long article on page three and noticed that Bro. May was not the author of the article.  Instead, it was a marvelous tribute to Cecil and Winnie May written by John Dobbs entitled “The Preacher and the Lady.”  John described well what I have admired in this godly Christian couple.  I “amen-ed” John’s last statement in his article: “And I wonder what the next issue of Preacher Talk will look like.  I hope it’s all about Winnie.”

And on the final page of Preacher Talk, it was.

Bro. May wrote about the day that Mrs. Winnie passed.  “The light of my life, the wind beneath my wings, my best friend and constant companion for more than 62 years, was gone.”  “Neither of us dreaded death for ourselves or for the other, but we both prayed not to go through long drawn-out pain or mental incapacity.  God answered our prayers, though I devoutly wish He would have waited a few years longer.  As I write this, it has just been a few weeks, but, oh, how I miss her!”

“God gave me a wife who was truly a helper suited to me for 62 plus wonderful years.  He gave us excellent health for most of those years.  We have been too greatly blessed to complain now.”

Bro. May concluded: “Thank you, God, for giving me Winnie and for the promise of eternal reunion.” *

I add: “Thank you, God, for Cecil and Winnie May.  Together, they have taught with their words and their lives what it means to live the Christian life.  They have influenced countless others to become Christians and to become better Christians.  They have reminded us of the hope that we have in Jesus: the promise of eternal reunion.”

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

That blessed hope is found in Jesus, for He died for our sins so that we might be forgiven of those sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:23).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, as we walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

And, because of Jesus, we can look forward to an eternal reunion with our loved ones in Christ.

Won’t YOU trust and obey Christ so that YOU may share in that blessed hope?

-- David A. Sargent

* Preacher Talk (Vol. 31, No. 3; Summer, 2016).  Cecil May Jr., Editor.  Faulkner University, Montgomery, AL.

David A. Sargent, Minister