The diagnosis was life-threatening: a severe case of tuberculosis in both lungs. The prognosis was very poor and disheartening: the doctor told my mother that in all probability I would not make it. I had a bed waiting for me at the Swedish National Sanatorium in Denver, and my journey back to health was about to begin. I was 17 years old. The first person who made a difference in my life at that time was a little old Swedish grandmother. On the Sunday before I was to leave Chicago, I attended church as usual, where I said goodbye to my congregation. Afterwards, this woman came up to me with tears in her eyes and said: "Ray, as you leave for Denver, I want to give you these words. And then she quoted two verses from Isaiah: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever. For the Lord Jehovah is everylasting strength."

That godly saint was God's instrument, speaking God's word to me in my moment of need. And I buried these words in my heart and used them in the years ahead to comfort me and give me hope - all during those years when I was never sure I would come out of the hospital alive.

The second person who made a difference in my life was a child of maybe 10 or 12, whose voice came over my little bedside radio the first morning I awoke in the sanatorium. She sang these words of an old Gospel song: "Fear thou not for I am with thee, I will still they Pilot be; Never mind the tossing billows, take MY hand, and trust in ME." Again, I heard the voice of God in this young person, speaking a word of encouragement to me.

The third person who made a difference in my life was my sister Millie. She had recorded a song at a family gathering. And now, after three years of being in the hospital, with still no hope of recovery, I heard these words of God: "If your body suffers pain, and your health you can't regain, and your soul is almost sinking in despair, Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal, take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there." I did. And He did.

Three poeple: one an old grandmother, the second a young child, and the third a young mother in her 30s, spoke God to me. All three of them made a difference in my life - a life changing experience of encouragement, inspiration and hope.

Now, as your visitation Pastor, this is what I hope to do for those of you who spend time in the hospital, live in a nursing home, or are just homebound. I come to you with my bible, and a word from God that will speak comfort and encouragement and yes, joy to your aching body, your weary mind, and your saddened soul. And you also make a difference in my life!

LOVE AND GOOD CHEER!
Pastor Raymond W. Nyquist