Goodnight, Uncle Tom

Yesterday, I learned that Uncle Tom had died.

He wasn’t a biological uncle, but certainly a spiritual one. He was in his nineties, and his wife, Lily, died just last week. The Lord’s taking him saved him the trouble of living alone, especially as he had been widowed once already.

Not only did he support me financially during my four years at university, he and his first wife (Aunty Jenny) had my grandmother and I round for dinner each Sunday for several years at their bungalow. They were some of the kindest and godliest people I ever knew. Being a farmer, Tom had a broad Lancashire accent, but this did not diminish the Saviour whom he radiated. Back in the 1970s, he and his wife had left Methodism, no longer able to tolerate that church’s theological demise. They were folk who lived the gospel fully, even breaking with traditions and heritage for Christ's honour.

My earliest memories include staying at their farmhouse at Bailrigg one summer. Our family’s holiday plans had fallen through, so they invited us to stay with them and to go out each day. On another occasion, he invited me to go to one his barns before lunch and observe a cow deliver its calf. His grandchildren and I were in awe of this wonderful sight, and I shall never forget it. Finally, I remember him, albeit through sleepy eyes, get a six-year-old me out of his car after some late-finishing church event and carrying me in his arms to my bed. Small acts of service perhaps, but which meant a lot to one little boy, and even more to Uncle Tom’s Saviour. By blessing me, he was serving the Lord Jesus.

This week, earth became a little darker, as Uncle Tom responded to the Lord’s call home. If I obtain as much godliness in my life as he had in just his little finger, I’ll be closer to the Lord than I have ever been.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

There is a picture of him on our website here; he is the chap on the far right and is praying at my induction service as pastor.

Top photo: Tom with his first wife, Jenny, 25 years and two weeks ago.