TUG'S TESTIMONY
In memory of Sam
Four boys living in
a suburb of Baltimore. I was just about 9, Joe was 8, Sam was 6 and Jeff was 5.
We played everything together and everything we did even became a game. Even
when we went across the street, just getting back across was an organized effort to safely
race back. We rewarded ourselves with a "gold, silver, or a bronze"
imaginary medal.
Meanwhile, my dad, Tim Hulett was
playing for the Baltimore
Orioles at the time, in Chicago against the White Sox. Our incredible mother was
cooking dinner for us, continuing her superhuman efforts in taking care of four active
boys most of the time on her own during baseball season. Life was the best.
That was until Sam decided
that THAT was the day that he was going to win "the gold", getting back across
the street.
My parents loved the Lord
and taught us how to know Him as our Savior. But they did more than that, THEY LIVED
IT. We are close as a family and close to God. With four brothers we had
"built in" best friends and teammates at all times.
And like any good teammate,
we had non-stop competition . . . even when just doing something simple like crossing the
street.
So Sam looked one way, but
not the other. He chose to get a jump on us in racing across the street, instead of
waiting for me to say when to "go".
While I was checking to make
sure Jeff was ready before we crossed, I heard Joe say "No Wait". . . but Sam
didn't, and the next instant changed our family forever.
Sam was instantly hit by the
car that seemed to come out of nowhere. My memories don't want to remember much
more, but the fact remains that Sam slipped almost immediately into eternity that evening.
And mom had to make the call
to dad that same night.
Alot of things happened that
night as dad immediately got a flight home to be with us. But nothing is more
significant than the words he spoke when he got us together as a family and said . . .
"A situation like this can tear families apart or bring them closer together.
And our family will not let this tear us apart". And then we held hands
and Dad prayed for God's peace for all of us and that the loss of my brother Sam would
bring us all closer together. He prayed that this tragedy would be used to give God
glory.
This is exactly the answer
that my father got in response to that brave prayer years ago. Many people have been
helped and comforted over the years as they trusted God to help them because they saw Him
help us.
It sounds like a "happy
ending", but it wasn't that easy for me. I was really bothered over the next
couple of years by those memories. Though I had asked Christ to be my Savior at a really
young age, the frustration with God over my brother's accident was really building up. I
really felt that it was my fault that Sam wasn't protected from crossing the street.
I didn't really know how to deal with it. But little did I know how everyone
in my family had the same feelings - including my mom, dad and brothers.
Finally it all spilled out
of me in a conversation with my mom. I apologized to my mom for letting that happen.
She wouldn't let me take the blame. She knew the limitations of a 9 year old
and she immediately began praying with me for God to give me a peace. That's when I
realized that God was taking care of me and left me with this story to show how God can
take a broken life/heart and make it whole.
It goes to show you that no
matter who you are or what your last name is, we all have to face eternity and answer to
God at some point. Whether it's today, tomorrow, or in forty years - we don't know
the day. You just have to ask yourself one question . . .
If you died tomorrow
and stood before God, and He asked you "Why should I let you into my heaven" . .
.
What would you say?
Would you be able to say,
"Lord, Jesus is my Savior and I trust Him completely for salvation and forgiveness.
His blood is covering my sin."
Or would you just hope that
being a "good person" would get you in.
If the second answer is your
response, please consider
John 14:6 - "Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes
to the father but BY ME."
That's the only comfort that
we had when we lost Sam that day. We knew that his simple faith had been placed in
Jesus before that fateful day. He was ready for eternity, even though he was only
six.
ARE YOU? If
you would like to be ready,
click here
or
here
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