Unexpected blessings are the best kind — like finding a $20 bill on the sidewalk, that first word coming out of the mouth of your child or finding the dishes washed and put away when you come home. They’re like a breath of fresh air. They put a smile on your face. Often these blessings come at a time when you need them most.
One such event happened to me back around 2004. Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church was doing a churchwide study called “40 Days of Purpose.” The intention was for us to get out in the community to serve the people of Lakeside, our immediate neighborhood. Each group organized a project; our class had chosen to tend the yard of a man named Mr. Clark, on Clarke Street of all places! With work gloves on hands and yard tools in tow, we began the task. It was summertime — dust was flying, sweat was pouring, and we were about to fall out.
Then, an angel appeared.
She appeared out of nowhere, smiling and holding a glass of tea. Sweet tea, not that stuff you get at restaurants — real, Southern tea. She was standing on her front porch saying, “Y’all want some tea?” Did we! We practically hopped her fence and met this angel named Annie Brock.
As we gulped the tea like parched travelers, Annie asked us what we were doing. We explained, and she said, “Y’all come by whenever you’re over here — I always have tea in the fridge.” This was the first of many times we would stand on her porch. Before we got back to work, she said, “Y’all come in and see my grandson, Robert.”
Robert was in his early teens, and bound to a wheelchair. We shook his hand, asked him about school, and took a tour of his room. He was very proud of his Nascar posters! We told him we would visit again. Outside, Annie told us he had muscular dystrophy, a disease that attacks the muscles, putting strain on the heart. Life expectancy is usually around 12 years. Annie had been his primary care giver for several years.
As I got back to work, I thought about the two people I had just met. Both had difficult challenges, to put it mildly. Life had thrown them a curve ball. But they both were soldiering on, doing the best they could with what they had been dealt. They had courage. They had a Christ likeness that was inspiring. They had really good tea.
Over the next several years I had the privilege of getting to know them better. We visited them on Christmas and birthdays, and had Robert over to watch a movie. On one occasion, we took Robert to Kings Dominion. Wheeling him around the park was fun! We got him on some of the smaller rides, which he enjoyed, but he said, “I want to go on one of the big roller coasters.” I thought, sure, why not? Have you ever done something, and afterwards said, “What was I thinking?!” Put it this way — I’ve done smarter things in my life.
The teenaged roller coaster attendant looked at me doubtfully as I hoisted Robert out of his chair and into the seat. He said, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I looked at Robert. I’m not going to say he was completely confident, but he did nod his head. I told you he had courage, right? My confidence had disappeared into thin air, replaced by tiny drops of sweat on my forehead.
We heard the ominous clicking noises as the coaster ascended the first hill. I prayed. I prayed like never before—“God, please get us out of this mess!” We topped the hill, screamed down the other side, and entered the first turn. That’s when the trouble started.
Robert couldn’t support himself through the turn! I reached over and gave him a bear hug. Thankfully, I found I could keep him from bouncing around. I guess we were the only two non-sweethearts hugging our way through the ride. We mercifully came to the end.
When the attendant saw me, his eyebrows raised a bit. I must have been as white as a sheet! I looked over at Robert to see how he had fared — and saw a big grin! He said he wanted to do it again. I said, “Let’s get some cotton candy.”
Over the next several years I would get a call or two from Annie, giving updates on Robert’s condition. I was always amazed at this woman’s dedication — how she gave up so much to care for him. She was an example to me of what it means to serve unconditionally. I’m convinced there is a special place in heaven for people like Annie Brock.
Robert was taken to MCV this past winter. He had pneumonia. He came very close to passing away during this time, but he kept fighting. What a dreaded disease it is! It was always looming over him. He told me from his bed, “God is with me.” Amen. And God had a special place for him, too.
Robert was mercifully taken into God’s presence on Thursday, Feb. 4. No more pain, no more sickness, no more wheelchair. One day I fully expect to see Robert walking towards me as I enter into that city. I bet there will be a grin on his face. Then I’ll walk a bit further and thank the Lord for unexpected blessings.
So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
After note: A huge crowd gathered by the graveside at Signal Hill on Feb. 7. Many shared how Robert’s determination and courage inspired them. Educators, healthcare workers, family and many friends shared bits of the story. We gave thanks to God and committed him to Jesus.
Bill Elrod is a member of Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond.