The Only Enoch I Have Ever Known (1996)

A reading from Genesis 5:22-24:  "...and after Enoch became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.  Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years.  Enoch walked with God' then he was no more, because God took him away."

The Enoch we read about in the Bible and the Enoch that lived and worked in our community aren't the same, and yet there are many similarities.  Both lived a good many years.  Both were family men.  Both walked with God while they lived on earth and both continue to walk with God as they live forevermore.

In this world of work and schedules, walking with God can become secondary.  But our Enoch chose long ago to make God and His goodness a part of every day life.  In that way, God's presence of love and kindness would never be put on a shelf.  Enoch could practice it every day and indeed, he did!  The love for his wife and his children was very evident.  As his family grew to include in-laws and then grandchildren, Enoch recognized each as a gift from God.

Then Enoch came to share his life with the nursing home family.  The nursing home staff and residents were immediately taken with the kindness of Enoch and the laughter and smiles he so freely shared.  The way Enoch shared the presence of God through kind words, smiles and gentle teasings was and will always be a vivid example of the love of God.

Walk on, Dear Enoch, walk on with the God Who loves you, Who created you and Who insists you spend all eternity with Him.  Walk on...now and forevermore.  Amen.