Yesterday I attended the funeral of Lee Thorstenson. I met Lee at Hacienda Heights Baptist Church, and I got to know her daughter Kim. Lee was a very classy lady in more ways than one. She was always put together and very well dressed. She had a sense of style, and I admired that about her. She also had a beautiful smile and a peace that surrounded her that caused a young girl like me to take notice and wonder how she got that way.
Yesterday, per Lee's instructions, there was a church service in which people could come forward and share their memories of Lee. Her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends all shared in an intimate time of reflection on how this life touched so many. The stories were almost the same in that each person talked about her grace, her character, her love for Christ.
One of the most touching moments of the service was when her long time friend, Cathye Tipton, got up to speak. We all know Cathye as "the pastor's wife" from HHBC, but she is much more than that. Cathye is another force of nature, like Lee was, and so it was no surprise that Cathye had something profound to share with us. Here is what she said:
Lee had been failing, and so the family called me from the hospital to say that if I wanted to see Lee I would have to come quick. I asked them to put the phone to Lee's ear, and I told Lee "I am on my way. Can you hold on until I get there?" Lee had not been able to talk much, but she said a very strong "Yes". I got there in time, and was able to sit with Lee all day. In the evening the kids and grand kids went home and I stayed through the night with my friend. Lee was in great discomfort. We both knew that her hours on this earth were few, and she was in pain. In the quiet of the night there was a moment. A moment to ask a question that you couldn't just ask anyone. I asked Lee this question. "Lee, is it true? I have lived and taught for over 50 years that in moments like these God will be there to usher you into His presence. Is it really as I have believed it to be, is it true?" Lee answered with a look of peace and said, "Yes, it is true. Jesus is here. I am a bit anxious, but it is O.K., I have peace. I told Lee that I would see her on the other side, so save a seat for me. Lee said she would. We had one last chuckle when I said that I might get there before her because in the morning I had to take a shuttle on the crazy L.A. freeway to the airport and fly home.
Lee died shortly after Cathye left her side. Lee was peacefully ushered into the presence of God, and there most definately was a reunion on the other side like none she had ever seen before! There are people who believe that you get a second chance and come back as either something better or worse depending on how you did on this earth. As Christians we live life with purpose for that day when we stand before Jesus and He says, "Well done my good and faithful servant." I don't want to come back to this broken down world. I want to live in the glory of God and know that I gave it my all while I had the chance.
I reminded Cathye of a Sunday School class that she taught many year ago. Cathye told our class that she had given much thought to all the teachings of the Bible and Jesus Christ, and she came to this conclusion. "If I died and found out that everything I believed in was not true, I would still be glad I gave my life to Christ. It has been a great way to live."
Cathye, nor I, believe for a second that living our life for Christ is a gamble. We know for certain that we serve the one true God. Lee confirmed in her last hours what we already knew. Jesus is real! The real question is, who is Jesus to you? Do you have the certainty that when you are laying in your last moments on earth, that you can have peace and assurance for what comes next? It can be done with a simple prayer.
Knowing that he would soon be killed for preaching about Jesus, Paul wrote his dear friend Timothy and said these words in 2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
Paul knew the God he believed in would gaurd his soul and carry on the work. His suffering would not be in vain. Lee lived life as a light to others. Her suffering in the end will not be in vain. She died as she lived, with class!
Save a seat for me Lee!
Sandy
