Merton, I Remember You

Merton, I remember you. I am deeply saddened by the news of your passing. I pray God looks with favor on your soul. You lived in ways I find objectionable. You likely committed the gravest of sins. Having said this, I know more about your childhood than any living person other than you. What I know about your childhood is pretty grim. I will not relate what I know because what I know is not fit to print. People took advantage of you. You were helpless and they took advantage of you. I know about your dark boyhood life because I was in your home many times.

You were a creative talent, even at the age of 5 or 6. You lived down the street from me. We saw each other many times during the week. You were in my class at school. The darkness put upon you carried over into your adult life. I am guessing you probably had no introduction to the gospel of Christ like I had in my life. If I could change your life as a little boy I would do so. Of course, I can't change anyone's life in the past.

A little while ago I prayed for God to touch your soul, wherever your soul might be at the moment. I would give you another chance, Merton. I would give you more wisdom and knowledge about the purity of God. I would give you more wisdom and knowledge about how He wants all of us to live a righteous life. I would give you parents who loved the Lord and who told you about Christ. Maybe you had more of chance than I had to accept Christ but I don't think so. I doubt you knew much of anything about Him.

I hope there were people around you who were kind, caring, and compassionate during your adulthood. You were a good kid. You were a good friend. I remember you would put these little papers up on the trees in your yard advertising free movies or free puppet shows. The "show" was a few minutes of old silent comedy films shown on your little movie projector. I remember you liked to put on puppet shows. I also remember I was the only one to ever come to see any your shows.

I remember the little cartoon character you invented. You were very talented when it came to drawing and graphic arts. I remember you used to like "Ramar of the Jungle" on early black and white TV.

Merton, I would like you to know, in whatever way God can communicate to you, I accept you as a person. Although I reject your lifestyle, your preferences, and your choices, I accept the core of who you are. I know your core, Merton, even if you grew up and showed a different core or persona to others around you as an adult.

No matter how you lived your adult life, I would have been with you in your final days and hours if I had been given the chance.

Maybe the Lord will set up a meeting between us in the future in some other place and time. God can do those kinds of things. If we meet again, as much as you can understand, as much as I can express, I will try to explain the saving love of Christ so you have a better chance at eternity.

Precious Lord, you are righteous in all your judgments. I beseech you to take into account Merton's dark beginnings as a child. I beseech you to take into account the abuse and dysfunction put upon Merton without his consent. As much you can, Lord, give Merton a better chance. In Christ's Love And Grace, Merton's friend from long ago.

This message was derived from true facts know by the pastor. The message appeared in April,  2010, in the Virtual Church web site at http://www.shepherdscare.net