Beth Larpenter-Shurbutt
9th May 2006, 02:29 PM (14:29)
Yesterday I lost a friend to death. This friend was also the only daughter of my pastor and his wife. She also was recently elected as the Sunday School Superintendent and was so excited about the job. It was totally unexpected and our small church is still in a state of shock.
Meg Golden, age 38, picked up all the little van kids for church Sunday morning and after she got there she told her mom that she didn't feel well and was going home. Her mom checked on her around 3:30 and Meg said that she was going to bed.
Monday morning, when Meg would not answer her phone, her mother went to her house to check on her. She had been very sick and was unresponsive. They called me around 7:40 a.m., on their way to the ER.
My daughter had an orthodontist appointment at 8:10 a.m. and after we finished at 8:30, I told my daughters that we'd go to the hospital to be with Pastor Bill and Sharon while they waited on some news. We had not been there 5 minutes when the nurse came out and said that Meg had not made it. I was so glad that God's prevenient grace had allowed me to be there right when they needed someone.
We made some phone calls and soon, many friends, including fellow pastors in the community, were there. One of our members came with a pocket of new handkerchiefs. That was one of the most thoughtful gestures I’ve ever seen. He handed them to anyone who needed one.
Yesterday, I witnessed something that no parent should ever have to face; the death of their child. I stood by my pastor and his wife while they ran their hands through Meg’s hair and told her how much they loved her. I saw as they bent and kissed her forehead. I then witnessed God's grace and strength in action. The three of us clasped hands and Pastor Bill prayed the most moving prayer a dad could ever pray over his only daughter who had just taken her last breath on this side of eternity. The Spirit of the Lord was so real that you could touch Him.
Please pray for my pastor, Rev. Bill Golden, his wife Sharon, their son Craig, and our church as we make it through this week and face Sunday, Mother's Day. We need God's strength!!!
Beth
Meg Golden and her dad, Rev. Bill Golden
Meg Golden, age 38, picked up all the little van kids for church Sunday morning and after she got there she told her mom that she didn't feel well and was going home. Her mom checked on her around 3:30 and Meg said that she was going to bed.
Monday morning, when Meg would not answer her phone, her mother went to her house to check on her. She had been very sick and was unresponsive. They called me around 7:40 a.m., on their way to the ER.
My daughter had an orthodontist appointment at 8:10 a.m. and after we finished at 8:30, I told my daughters that we'd go to the hospital to be with Pastor Bill and Sharon while they waited on some news. We had not been there 5 minutes when the nurse came out and said that Meg had not made it. I was so glad that God's prevenient grace had allowed me to be there right when they needed someone.
We made some phone calls and soon, many friends, including fellow pastors in the community, were there. One of our members came with a pocket of new handkerchiefs. That was one of the most thoughtful gestures I’ve ever seen. He handed them to anyone who needed one.
Yesterday, I witnessed something that no parent should ever have to face; the death of their child. I stood by my pastor and his wife while they ran their hands through Meg’s hair and told her how much they loved her. I saw as they bent and kissed her forehead. I then witnessed God's grace and strength in action. The three of us clasped hands and Pastor Bill prayed the most moving prayer a dad could ever pray over his only daughter who had just taken her last breath on this side of eternity. The Spirit of the Lord was so real that you could touch Him.
Please pray for my pastor, Rev. Bill Golden, his wife Sharon, their son Craig, and our church as we make it through this week and face Sunday, Mother's Day. We need God's strength!!!
Beth
Meg Golden and her dad, Rev. Bill Golden