But a GOOD man.”  These are the words used to describe Ben Cromwell by one of his new friends at his memorial service last week.  Ben was indeed a good man.  A man whom you could depend upon to welcome you, to be kind to you, to take an interest in you, to help you on your   relationship journey with God.  He was a beautiful example of Christ’s love for His people.

Ben had many friends but quite of few of them did not make the memorial service because they left this earthly shade before he did.  The new friends that he made wherever he went came to remember him and say their good-byes.  At 97, he had lived a full and fulfilling life.  I was one of his “new” friends having known him for only about 15 years. 

When I first met Ben, he was able to be active in church activities.  If there was a job that needed to be done, Ben would be there to do it or he would find someone to do it.  He had me counting the Sunday collection before I even knew that I wanted that task.  He was one of the founders of our church and as such, took that responsibility seriously.  He and his wife Helen could be counted on to welcome newcomers and make them feel comfortable and wanted; some they even “adopted”- becoming surrogate grandparents.

As Ben aged, his physical ability to keep up with some of these jobs diminished, but not his mental capacity.  He became fully competent with the computer and the internet.  I was on his mailing list. His emails were always funny and instructive.  I will miss those messages.

“Faithful, upright man”, “servant leader”, “holiest man in the church” were some of the phrases used by speakers during the service.  One mentioned Ben’s pride in his military service and noted that he was a “good soldier, not only for us but for God.”  Isn’t that a wonderful goal?  We were admonished at our confirmations to become Soldiers of Christ.  Ben was.  He set the example for us to follow.

Ben and Helen had a long life together and they lived in many places.  Now, he is in his final home-in the arms of God, who loves him unconditionally.  The same God who loves you unconditionally.  Onward Christian Soldiers!

Terri