Faithful God, faithful God,
All-sufficient one,
I worship you.
Shalom my peace,
My strong deliverer
I lift you up,
Faithful God.
This last week I’ve found these words have been very much in the forefront of my mind ever since I hear of the sudden passing of a friend, Hazel Ferguson. At first I didn’t understand why this song kept going round and round in my head, but I soon came to realise that God was reminding me of several things…
Firstly, regardless of the feelings and emotions we may be experiencing, God is there with us because He is faithful, and can supply all we need in every situation.
Secondly, and probably most importantly at this time, that my friend is now with her Saviour, the One she has served for many years through the Salvation Army,
Today I attended Hazel’s funeral, so like many other day’s this week, I found myself thinking about some of the times I’ve spent with Hazel…
I’ve known Hazel for many years, as I gre up attended Rutherglen Salvation Army where Hazel and her family attended. I became much closer to Hazel during her time as Songster Leader at Rutherglen as she had the faith and trust in my to convince me to firstly become accompanist for the songsters, and then a few years later her deputy as leader.
Hazel was one of the members of the Harmony Trio and I was privileged to travelled with them to various churches and other Salvation Army corps, to play clarinet solos and then a few years later as their accompanist. These were also interesting times, not just because of the message the group portrayed to the listeners, but also the car journeys to and from the venue! As was mentioned at Hazel’s funeral she was a scary driver! But for me, my memory of car journeys with Hazel is the fact that we never ever came home from somewhere the same way we had gone…een although we intended to! We got lost countless times, but to be honest all this all just become part of the fun at travelling with Hazel!
In these last few years since we both moved from Rutherglen Salvation Army to other corps, Hazel and I maybe didn’t see each other very often, however it didn’t stop us continuing out friendship by email and text.
Hazel was Mum to someone I grew up with and am friends with, but the age difference between Hazel and I definitely didn’t stop us becoming good friends. Over the years we shared some hilarious moments (many prolonged by Hazel’s infectious giggling), and we also shared in some emotional and tearful moments. However, no matter the situation one thing always shone through and that was Hazel’s deep love of God, and for that reason I can say with confidence that she is now with God.
Rest in peace my friend.
’Mid all the traffic of the ways,
Turmoils without, within,
Make in my heart a quiet place,
And come and dwell therein.
A little shrine of quietness,
All sacred to Thyself,
Where Thou shalt all my soul possess,
And I may find myself.
A little shelter from life’s stress,
Where I may lay me prone,
And bare my soul in loneliness,
And know as I am known.
A little place of mystic grace,
Of self and sin swept bare,
Where I may look upon Thy face,
And talk with Thee in prayer.
The Distinct Dot 