I want to give some excerpts of an article written by Wayne Jackson and published in THE MESSENGER, the weekly bulletin for the church of Christ meeting at 3906 East Main St., Stockton, CA 95215:

LOIS McCORD was a sweet Christian lady whose presence blessed so many over the eight-nine years of her life. She passed into a grander country on July 13th. ... When Lois was a young girl she went to Henderson, Tennessee to attend Freed-Hardeman College. When someone accused her of going there just to marry a preacher, she exclaimed: "I’ll never marry a preacher." Years later, a friend, poking fun at Hugo, told her she remained faithful to her pledge!

Lois taught ladies’ classes for many years, she wrote articles, and she influenced so many in numerous ways, not the least of which was the invaluable assistance she rendered as Hugo’s helper in the gospel.

In her declining days, Lois developed alzheimers disease, which has been called the "long good-bye," because the victim gradually loses an awareness of reality and, in varying degrees, drifts into a sort of fantasy world. And so it was that during the concluding months of her life, this lovely sister "lost touch" with the real world to some degree. It was said, by those who had occasion to be with her, that she was ever cheerful. One person went to see Lois, to "cheer her up," and commented that she ended up being the one encouraged!

But something happened in sister McCord’s mind that was quite telling. She reached a point when she thought every day was Sunday. She was prepared to worship--no matter what day of the week it was.

As I have reflected upon this, a couple of thoughts have occurred to me. First, this was a vivid commentary on the quality of her soul. Whereas some of us have known loved ones who’ve slipped into a dream world where they constantly rehearsed former jobs, or recreational pleasures, Lois relived, over and over, what had been the greatest treasure to her. She delighted so in serving God that every day became the Lord’s day! Second, I have wondered what it would be like for some brethren--if they lapsed into a state where, to them, every day became Sunday. What a horrible nightmare that would be! One day of dread and boredom after another. What if they could hear, in some corner of their mind, preaching--again and again? Perish the thought. What if they contemplated the pain of giving into that insatiable contribution plate every single day. What torture!

Maybe--just maybe--we’d better give more attention to how we live--as we prepare for how to die. Have you ever thought about the fact that the worst "hell" for some might be to be in heaven?

9-9-2000