READ: MATTHEW 18:3
My friend died today. My dear friend, Bill Oswalt, died. I have never
known a person so childlike in his relationships. If Bill had something
he wanted to talk about, he would call and say, “Can we talk?” And
we would meet and Bill would pour out his heart freely. If Bill wanted a prayer, Bill would call my cell and say, “Please say a pray for me…. right now…out loud…please pray.” And I would pray. When Bill knew he was dying, we met and he asked, “Please, tell me what will happen when I die?” But Bill didn’t just ask, he gave. He gave roses, he gave affection, he gave encouragement, and he gave love. Truly, I have never known a person who gave and shared Christian love so easily, so readily, so unashamedly. Too many of us are guarded. We have needs, yet we hesitate to ‘bother’ someone else. We have questions, but we hesitate asking. We stop short of pouring out extravagant love and encouragement. I am a better Christian because I have known Bill. He has helped me understand what Jesus was talking about when he said, “Unless you become like a little child… you will not see the kingdom of heaven.”
– Virginia Thompson