Debbie Specht

Our congregation today formally celebrated the reward of eternal life in heaven bestowed on our dear friend Debbie Specht who passed away a little over a week ago after an 18 month battle with brain cancer. While I reflect on how fully she lived her relatively short 48 year life, the last six years of which I witnessed, I will best remember her enduring faith to which her works testified.

Debbie and her husband Bruce were regular fixtures in Pastor Snyder's Sunday morning Bible class. While Bruce probably commented less than the average attendee, Debbie was not shy in discussing how the Bible verses at hand applied to a past or current phase of her life. One story that stands out is one of her father, Ken Walton, who had not accepted Christ as his Savior. It was her earnest desire that he come to that faith. I always enjoyed hearing her talk because I generally like to hear about the struggles and victories of my fellow followers of Christ. I think everyone has a witness story, but she particularly stands out in my mind as someone willing to share hers and thereby strengthen and encourage me and others.

Debbie always seemed genuinely happy to see me and my family which grew from three to five while we knew her. Everyone knows when someone really cares about you and what you say. Debbie was one of those people. Some people may be more inclined to do so, but it takes discipline to focus on others before yourself as our sinful nature wants to do. This testifies to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and her love of Christ.

Debbie also stepped up to be a co-director of our church's early childhood program, Sonshine Learning Center, in its waning months. I think it would be easy to lead something that is growing and successful, but she helped direct a program that had suffered from previous corrupt directors and an ever-increasing regulatory state. While that program was soon closed down, she worked diligently to make the best of it. I remember her specifically telling me that the Lord told her to take this position. While I did not press her on whether or not she literally heard His voice, I was still impressed with the mature level of communication between her and her Lord. It was a great example for me.

Finally, Debbie continued to lend her musical talent to the vocal and bell choirs as much as she physically could well into her cancer treatments sometimes beyond reason. She had every right to stand down and be served rather than serve as her cancer prognoses worsened. We "healthy" members of the body of Christ are without excuse.

See you on the other side, Debbie, and may the Lord bless and comfort your husband, Bruce, and your daughters, Katie and Kayla.