A Christian hero
We reproduce, with permission, what Richard Stevens III wrote today on Facebook:
ONE OF OUR GODLY ELDERS, DON SMITH, HAD AN INFECTION SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT ALMOST KILLED HIM. The doctors said several times that he would not live. I was there. However, by the grace of God he survived a coma, a heart attack, heart surgery, dialysis, a slight stroke, skin grafts, and the amputation of several toes. And after months of discouraging painful rehabilitation, this once independent and industrious man had to learn to hugely depend on others, mainly his wife, Joan.
In time, he learned to walk again aided by a cane and special shoes. He was told a significant amount of the pain would never go away, even in the night.
Since then, this brother faithfully attends services, teaches weekly and monthly Bible classes, preaches monthly, serves Communion, shepherds the flock, and so on, all through pain. HE IS MY CHRISTIAN HERO! (hero defined: “a person noted or admired for nobility, courage, outstanding achievements, etc.”; Oxford Dictionary).
I am thankful to have Don as an example, mentor, and leader. He exclaims with his life, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Co. 11:1; 4:16).
