A Pastor's Tribute to His Wife

Remembering Rose Rentfro.

Dick Rentfro has pastured many churches including the Vancouver B. C. Central Church and the Seattle Central Church. Though he retired in 1982 at the age of 62, he continues to share his tninistry with people of all ages.

When my "Miss Universe," my beloved, took her last breath, I was with her. She simply fell asleep. As I looked at her face, I saw the face of the beautiful young girl I married over 53 years ago.

As she slipped away from me, I thought I would never smile again. My "North Star" was gone. My love had been stricken with Alzheimer's disease and I felt lost without her. Shortly after her death, I felt anger when I saw other couples embracing. I was mad at God for taking my beautiful partner away.

Then, in desperation, I cried out to God, "Please help me!" God was waiting for my invitation. He lifted me up to a loving place where I came to realize God had nothing to do with my wife's illness. I realized that I was privileged to share in a limited way the inner feelings our Blessed Lord had when He felt totally cut off from his father while on the cross. I realized that grief is the price we must pay for having loved.

Still, I miss my sweet Rose. During our life together, we lived, worked and played as a united couple. Rose realized that men and women are "wired" differently and she never sought to change me. Neither did she spend time criticizing me. Rather, she lifted me up, both publically and privately. A really good and caring wife always wants to make her husband "look good" before the entire world and Rose did just that.

When Christ comes again, the dead in Christ, like my dear Rose, will rise and go first. Then the rest of us will be caught with them in the clouds to meet the Master. There will a huge family reunion. At that time, shall hold Rose once again ... and smile.

Dick Rentfro has pastured many churches including the Vancouver B. C. Central Church and the Seattle Central Church. Though he retired in 1982 at the age of 62, he continues to share his tninistry with people of all ages.