Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Last Prayer of Louis Newton, Tinney Chapel Patriarch: 1914-2007
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The Last Prayer of Louis Newton (1914-2007)
Louis Newton loved his neighbors, all of them, which is to say, all of us! Such was the heart of a devotional message at Tinney Chapel's recent OASIS group gathering, Oct. 16. The Scriptural reference, Matthew 22:36-39, chosen by OASIS leader Carolyn Beavers, reveals the incredible emphasis Jesus attributes to that commandment: Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself!
It’s hard for most of us to fulfull this challenging commandment, Carolyn emphasized, while adding that 93-year-old Louis seemed to have adopted it as a natural part of his lifestyle. Carolyn asked a rhetorical question: If very, very ill, perhaps bound to the bed where our life would end, what, or who, would most of us pray for?
Would we pray for healing, relief from pain, strength to sit up, just to be able to walk to the bathroom to preserve what little dignity might remain? Might we pray for God to hurry, to take us home to be with Him?
Just eight days earlier, Oct. 8, Carolyn recalled that she visited Louis on what might have been his final day of mental and spiritual clarity before suffering yet another stroke. Louis then asked about husband Dick. He genuinely wanted to know where Dick was, and what he was doing. On that day, Louis conceded that he was weary of being bedridden, and was ready to go home: To be with Jesus and his beloved KK. As Carolyn’s visit ended, Louis’ caregiver, Sheila Elkins, asked if he wanted to have a word of prayer.
He did not hesitate. Louis took Carolyn’s hand, held it tight, then prayed a beautiful, elegant, sincere prayer.
Louis might very well have prayed for healing, more time, less pain, ability to walk. But, he did not!
Louis prayed for us! Personally! For Carolyn and Dick, thanking God for them and their work at Tinney Chapel. He thanked God for Tinney Chapel’s Oasis ministry, and asked God to continue to bless it. He thanked God for our church, and all the people in it, asking for God’s blessings on each one of us. He did not mention himself. He did not mention his illness. In what might have been his final out-loud prayer, Louis once again obeyed one of Jesus’ greatest commandments: Love your neighbor as yourself!
