Brother Bob

I was at the Infirmary one day when Brother Bob, an itinerate preacher, showed up with an assistant. They went through the wards, preaching. I was curious about how they would preach as so much of the church "seems" to be very legalistic...kind of stuck in the 50's era. I wondered if it would be hellfire and damnation kind of preaching. But to my delight, Brother Bob was the gentlest of men, and his preaching was nothing but the word of God, emphasizing the love of God and salvation through His Son. He talked about sin and told the truth...but presented it as I believe scripture does...in love, and stressing God's desire for us. Later, after we introduced ourselves, Brother Bob told me he had preached in a church in Cincinnati!! He gets around! Richard followed him from the men's building into the women's to listen to Him. He gave enough feedback for the whole ward, shouting "YES", and "AMEN" , "HALLELUIA"at regular intervals. Then he would raise a finger and say, "Brother Bob? Brother Bob?" like he wanted to ask questions. Evidently this is a problem , and Brother Bob, deftly kept everyone, including Richard on track until he finished. I think Richard interrupts his sermons on a regular basis. Afterwards we were going through the women's ward praying for people. Margaret has been in a lot of pain, and I'm worried about her as she seems to have a mass in her abdomen. We pray for her by turns, and she cries grateful to be prayed for. As we make our way to the back ward, Brother Bob striding up and down the room prays us right up into heaven. I am kneeling by Princess' bed, praying and open my eye's to look at her. I wish I had my camera so I had a picture of this, but it would have been too intrusive anyway. She lays half on her back and half on her side, but her hands are folded together as best as they can with the contractures she has, on her chest, and her face is pointed to the heavens, and I'll forever remember the look on her face. She had this seraphic smile, eye's closed....love. It was just a look of love. I'm not sure when, but felt the Lord speaking to my heart that she was an intercessor. I told her that later, and she shook her head, with a look like "what use am I?" I talked to her about what intercession is and does, and gave her some assignments. She lays all day and watches everything that goes on. I told her to pray for the employees as they worked, the residents...for the Matron, Juliette, who at that time, was experiencing real hardship because she was making everyone tow the line and holding them accountable. She had death threats on her life, and her children....finally, I think the abuse must have been too much and she left. Maybe Princess' prayers protected her. I hope she is still praying. I wrote her a letter not long ago. I need to do that more often and encourage her. We all have purpose. Even the least of these, the most childlike, uneducated, unsophisticated, unlikely. I'm thinking...their purpose is even greater than most.
Whoever humbles themself as a little child, is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Matt.18:4
I'm thankful for Brother Bob, who sees the treasure living up there, and doesn't consider it beneath him to preach in such a humble pulpit.