It was a day that Ella Chadwick will never forget.  This remarkable 11-year-old is very courageous and compassionate.  Ella was born with a rare kidney disease: congenital nephritic syndrome.  She has endured countless hospitalizations, numerous rounds of dialysis, and two kidney transplant operations.  Her battles have made her sympathetic to others who struggle with their health.  “It’s what amazes me about her — with everything she’s been through that she’s still so full of life,” says her mother.  “But I think it’s because she knows what it’s like to feel awful.  She just wants to help and make people smile because she knows what it’s like to be in a hospital.”

Recently, Ella went with her parents to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, England.  She thought she was just going for an appointment and to deliver some cards she had made for patients in the hospital.  What she didn’t know was that she was about to receive a visit from one of her favorite celebrities who also had some news to share with her.

As she was sitting in a room in the hospital with her parents, in walked a star that she adores: former professional soccer player, David Beckham.   Beckham visited with Ella, helped her deliver her homemade cards to patients, and revealed to her that she was to receive the Child of Courage Award at The Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards.

What a day for Ella!

There is even a greater day that awaits the faithful child of God.

Earlier this week I heard a preacher, Allan Eldridge, speak from his heart at the funeral of a dear friend, church leader, and brother in Christ, George Holcomb.  Allan extolled George’s great Christian character and spoke of a song that was a favorite to both of them.  The song, “What A Day That Will Be” (lyrics and music by Jim Hill), speaks to the heavenly hope that they both shared in Christ:

There’ll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins.  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

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 sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin – and prepare for a heavenly home – those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

To be united with Christ in an eternal, heavenly home and to be reunited with loved ones in Christ, what a day, glorious day, that will be!

Won’t YOU accept Jesus’ invitation to be a part of that glorious day?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “David Beckham surprises young fan born with rare kidney disease in heartwarming video” by Hayley Fitzpatrick via Good Morning America, November 8, 2018, www.abcnews.go.com

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org