Pass the Ammo- The Goodbye

“Fight the good fight of faith”

1 Timothy 6:12

“Pass the Ammo” is a true story series of unnamed (but not unknown) soldiers for Christ who stepped out of their comfort zone to obey the Holy Spirit’s call. To stay in the fight, we’ll need all the extra rounds we can get. So, praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!

It’s killing me inside

They were close.

She and her brother always stuck together. They always had each others’ back. He was her baby brother, and she was his big sister.

Theirs wasn’t an easy life. The troubles of life hounded them both throughout their lives. Sin claimed its wages and brought terrible consequences, and they had to get tough together. She tried to be good for him, because she wanted him to be good. Though she didn’t know how or why, he was her motivation to try.

Fast forward 20 years. Different life decisions have put many miles between them. But another important decision has made them as opposite as night and day: she has recently come to Christ and received Him as her Saviour. Her little brother has not. Big sister knows he needs to, and she persistently calls and texts him.

She knows he doesn’t have much time. A wild and sinful life take its toll on the body. Baby brother isn’t well. He won’t last long. His trips to the hospital become more frequent, last longer, cost more. He is dying.

But thank God for the promise of “whosoever.” “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16b) By patience and persistence and answered prayer, little brother became her brother twice; he receives Jesus as his Saviour. Now they are in the family of God together!

Ripped from Her Heart

Oh that didn’t erase their troubles. The setbacks of moving, rebuilding, earning trust, trying to make ends meet. They were brought up tough, and things are still tough. She would love for nothing more but to see him again, to hug his neck, let him know how happy she was that he made a good choice! Maybe someday, if she saved her money, somehow, she would get to do that.

That was the beginning of November. His health is failing fast. By mid-November, baby brother checks himself into the hospital for the last time. His heart is giving out. One attack, then another, then another.

One day at noon, he passes away. Despite the prayers, despite the tears, despite all the love in his sister’s now broken heart. Her friends remember the heavy grief as she relayed the news to those that knew her and prayed for him.

How tense were those next few days. Her old life offered her plenty of ways to cope with her pain. Alcohol, various drugs had been her go-tos when her father died. Friends wondered if she would get mad at God or doubt her newfound faith. They worried that the old life would appeal to her again.

But that old, lost girl is gone now. “Old things have passed away, behold all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Her budding faith, rather than being crushed under this burden, blossomed. The devil intended it for evil, but God meant it for good. Death claimed little brother, but death only ushered him into the presence of her Lord and Saviour. Yes, parting was bitter, but they both knew one thing for certain: Heaven would be sweeter, and forever.

Hear it in her own words:

“I miss my little brother. He meant the world to me, and losing him felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I hated that I couldn’t be there for him, to see him one last time.

But I know where he is. Jesus has done too much for me. I’ll not turn my back on him now. I don’t know what I’d do without Him. Before, when my dad died, I went crazy, now I’ve just got this peace. It’s killing me inside, it’s breaking my heart, but I know where he is, and I’m gonna see him again someday.”

Can you relate to her story? If so, draw strength from her testimony and know this truth:

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul!

“…And having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:13b

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