Josh and Jerry stood on the front step of Mr. Seymour’s modest townhouse and rang the bell. After a few moments, the door opened to reveal a young woman dressed in a uniform of green scrub pants, sneakers and a patterned smock. “May I help you?”
Jerry said, “We’re here to see Wendell. He’s expecting us.”
She nodded. “Are you the visitors from his church? He’s been looking forward to your visit all afternoon.” She smiled and stepped back, allowing them room to come in.
As she led them down the hallway, she explained, “I’m afraid your visit will have to be short. His lungs are in very bad shape and it’s tiresome for him to talk.” She turned back to them and lowered her voice, “I know Mr. Seymour is a religious man and he would appreciate you saying a prayer with him. His health is declining, and I honestly don’t know how much longer he can hold on. I work often with people in their last days, and I have the feeling he’s got a mission that he feels strongly about. Something he’s determined to accomplish.”
Jerry cast Josh a meaningful gaze and they both followed the nurse into the living room, down the hallway, into one of the bedrooms on the right. Mr. Seymour sat in an easy chair, wearing a silk dressing robe, his oxygen tank hissing. The bedding was rumpled, which made Josh think he’d probably just recently vacated the sheets for their visit. Josh approached the old man and took his hand, squeezing it gently. They both closed their eyes and Josh said a silent prayer for his health.
The nurse slipped out the door, and Mr. Seymour motioned to several vacant chairs that had been pulled close to his. Josh and Jerry sat. The silence dragged on, and Josh knew that his senior pastor, seated next to him, was waiting with expectancy.
“Thanks for visiting me,” Mr. Seymour said, the oxygen tank pumping away, causing his words to emerge from a wall of moving air. “I suppose you’re interested in finding out more about my will.”
Jerry cleared his throat. “Yes, to say the least, Wendell. We’re intrigued, but frankly, a little surprised by all the drama. Why are you placing conditions on your gift? Why not just leave your remaining funds to the church? Do you doubt that we’re doing God’s will? What else do you think we can do?”
Mr. Seymour nodded and paused to clear his lungs with a short, dry cough. “I think you two are faithful servants of God. But my estate has given me the means to make sure we’re not sitting comfortably back. We need to always push forward. Look ahead. What else can we do to bring people to God? That’s our main mission as Christians in today’s world. Pastor, how much time do you spend bringing new people to the church?”
Jerry shook his head, his forehead scrunched in concentration. “You mean as opposed to servicing my existing congregation members? Probably a small percentage of my time, Wendell. I have a large congregation with a lot of responsibilities.”
“I know that, Jerry, and I know you work hard. Bring them in the door. People need to hear the message.”
Jerry leaned back in his chair, most likely contemplating the charge he just received.
Meanwhile, Mr. Seymour turned to Josh. “And you, Pastor. You’re in charge of the youth. You have a huge opportunity to introduce youth to Christ. You mentioned the Youth Rally. Great event. You need to make the most of it. Fill the sanctuary! Bring in new kids. Spread the word.”
The old man was delivering his message with such enthusiasm that he was becoming breathless with the effort. Josh placed his hand on the man’s arm, calming him. “Okay, I get it. I’ll make sure the Youth Rally is well attended, well run, and the message gets out. Don’t you worry, Mr. Seymour. It’ll be the best Youth Rally we’ve had yet.”
Then, the old man dropped his chin to his chest and let his eyes drift shut. “Thank you,” he whispered, just as his nurse came in. She pressed her fingers to his neck and paused there, then moved the back of her hand to his forehead.
“That’s probably enough for him today. Thanks for your visit.” Her voice was all business, and Josh and Jerry knew it was time to go. They rose and let themselves out, the burden of the message they’d just received weighing heavy on their minds.