Inspired By History

Yesterday morning I had the privilege to officiate at the interment service for Major Jean Parker. Members of the family and close friends gathered at the grave of Mrs Adjutant Mary Jane Cottle (Jean's mother), where Major Parker was interred, to give glory to God for Jean's faithful Christian service and witness and dedicate themselves to be God afresh for future days.

Mrs Adjutant Cottle was promoted to Glory in January 1938 (aged 54 years) and had given many years of dedicated service to God through the Army's social services in both the UK and Australia. An officer who served alongside then Ensign Twaddle at Hope House in 1919 spoke of her "cheerful disposition, practical sympathy, and faith in the ability of God to help the worst", in a War Cry tribute to her life and service appropriately titled, Fragrant with Holy Service [included here for your reading interest!]

The featured article concludes with Jean's father, Adjutant Robert Cottle, recalling how he received comfort from a man he had not previously met who, at the open grave (where we were standing!), remarked to him: "Remember, your sheet-anchor is to trust in God."

Now that's a word for us all from the annals of Army history!

Lord, create in me a firm faith in the ability of God to help the worst; make me a servant 'fragrant with holy service'; and guide me to anchor myself daily in your trustworthiness.