An Authentic, Steadfast Life

Stones of Remembrance in the Garden of Our Lives
by Herb and Elsie Purnell
BookLocker.com, Inc.
472 pages

The Bible states that the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance (Psalm 112:6). When our lives intersect a remarkable person, we know this to be true. We cherish their memories and all that we have learned from them, which continue to make an impact after their life on this earth has ended. The righteous are called thus not because they are perfect, but receiving Jesus as Savior, all of their sins are forgiven and they are made righteous for all eternity. We met Herb Purnell at San Gabriel Community Church, and we had the privilege of hearing him share about his love and commitment to God from the pulpit, during Sunday School when he would teach, and during men’s breakfast gatherings. It was a special privilege when he would visit and fellowship with us around our dining room table. We learned a lot about him during these times, which was supplemented with the blessing of reading his life’s story in his memoir. The memoir also includes the words and memories of his late wife Elsie. We read it aloud as a family every night, and not too long afterwards, Herb died and entered the presence of God. I would like to honor his memory by sharing what I learned from him.  His stories are sincere and perhaps can encourage you if you find it challenging to accept hardship along with the good things in this life.

Herb titled his memoir, Stones of Remembrance in the Garden of Our Lives. Stones were used to build altars in Scripture for an offering or were piled up to serve as a point of reference for what God had done in the lives of his people for each succeeding generation to remember and not forget. Herb’s intent for his reflections was to remember God’s faithfulness to his family through their experiences. Some of the stories I could barely hear about—rape and murder of a beloved daughter, fire burning the house they recently bought to the ground, illness after illness—and yet Herb and his wife Elsie share with honesty and humility how God provided and sustained them over and over again, giving them His peace, courage, and faith during excruciating days where hope often falters. My experience cannot compare, but to know someone firsthand whose relationship with God made an earthly difference helps me to trust that God will bring me through the dark days of disappointment or the days when I do not see how God could allow or use something painful for good. 

Dr. Purnell explains how during his lowest days of grief God ministered to him through hymns. Although admittedly overwhelmed and his faith seeming vulnerable because of the two men who robbed him of his daughter, he read and reaffirmed to himself the Apostles’ Creed:

“I believe in God the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth;

and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord…”

Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” ministered to him as well:

“And though this world with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us.

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

we tremble not for him.

His rage we can endure,

For lo his doom is sure…”

And from the hymn, “This is My Father’s World”:

“This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget,

that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world: The battle is not done;

Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.”

Dr. Purnell missed his daughter greatly until his death. But he lived with hope in God’s promise for all who believe in God and receive the resurrected Christ. Before the Lord ascended to heaven, he walked among the people and demonstrated that he had conquered death. Now Dr. Purnell, his wife who died from cancer, and their beloved daughter who died young at the hands of wicked men, because God was their Lord and Savior, are alive and reunited with eternal promises of blessing. Heaven is without any sin, therefore we will only experience joy and holiness in God’s presence. This is the Easter story. Only with God as your savior can you endure the heartache of this world with enduring hope. I believe people might think they are being kind to demand from God healing or protection or a blessed earthly life for themselves or others, but God works differently, and we cannot always know his purposes.  I am grateful for precious saints that God has allowed me to walk this life with to learn from and to be encouraged to continue to trust in God. Thank you, Dr. Purnell, for your beautiful, authentic witness of a man who loved God first and who did not let man’s rejection, chronic health issues, the cruel death of a daughter, or personal property damage to unravel your faith. You have spurred me on to walk faithfully and obediently with God in all circumstances. Reader, if you need encouragement from God and if your heart is full of despair, allow the journaling of their story to bless you. Their book, Stones of Remembrance in the Garden of Our Lives, contains the memories of Dr. Purnell and his wife Elsie, as well as their reflection of how God worked in and through their lives. I thank God for Dr. Purnell. Until I join you in heaven, thank you for helping me to persevere.