I received this text message from a long-time friend of Burt’s: “Hi Rita, I hope you’re doing well as well as can be expoected. I guess God is with you which is the best thing. I hope He can be with me in the future. I think of Burt many times every day, and I think he’s trying to steer me in the right direction. His helper has been contacting me every few days to keep me on the right path. Tom is quite a great disciple as well. Maybe good things can happen for me in the future. I have a friend, her name is Vonnie; you know her. The two of us are trying to do our best as to what God would like us to do. I’ll be in touch. You take care. Jerry”
You may wonder why I would share this particular text with you. I will give you some background, and you will be able to connect the dots.
Burt and Jerry worked together in construction before partnering to start their own masony construction company called Cornerstone Masonry. Burt had come up with the name Cornerstone. When laying up a foundation, the cornerstone is the first and most important block laid with all other blocks joining to make two exeterior walls. The integrity of every foundation depends on the four cornerstones. Jesus was the cornerstone of Burt’s life, and for 45 years, he often tried to share his faith with Jerry. But Jerry would stiff-arm Burt and dig in his heels.
This reminds me of the parable Jesus told of the sower and the seed. The sower was the one who planted the seed, the seed was the Word of God, and the soil along the path was hardened and impenetrable. That was Jerry’s heart – hardened and impenetrable. Jerry wanted control over his own life, was stuborn, materialistic, and negative among other undesirable characteristics.
Tom came into the picture four or five years ago and became one of Burt’s best friends, Tom did not particularly care for Jerry, but because of Burt’s positive influence and determination not to abandon Jerry, Tom hung in there. Tom he also sensed Jerry’s great need for a Savior. Tom bought a Bible for Jerry and said he could have it only if he promised to read it. Jerry reluctantly agreed. Burt continued to share Scripture with Jerry until his own death on December 9, 2021. Tom picked up the slack and continued to call Jerry.
Today, I had the opportunity to talk in depth with Jerry about Jesus and eternal life. Jerry had many excuses at first and went down every rabbit trail in the woods. He soon settled down and began to listen asking questions like “How can God know everything?” “How can I know God loves me?” Enter John 3:16. At the end of our one-hour conversation, I asked him if I could pray. He said yes. I prayed, and then I asked him to be sincere and repeat a simple prayer. He said he would. “Lord, help me to believe,” I prayed. He repeated those five simple words. That was huge! I don’t know how the Lord will work in his heart, but I am confident He will. Burt never saw the fruit of his labor, but he will.
I encourage you to never give up on a loved one, but continue to pray for, and share with him the gospel of Jesus Christ.