He Will Never Let Us Go!

I confess that I have had some help.  He sends me notes that I treasure for their wisdom and encouragement.  He also drops by our offices as he walks to us from his home at the retirement village of Raybrook Manor.  Carolyn DeNeut, Jackie Medenblik and I call him “Uncle Harvey.”  Our phrasing is meant to be a note of honor and love. “Uncle” Harvey Kiekover is a retired pastor who was honored as a Distinguished Alumn of Calvin Theological Seminary in 2022.  Through that process, including a special dinner, we learned of Harvey’s move from the farm to the seminary.

His marriage to his wife, Thelma, and his loving, long-term care for her, especially when she suffered from MS before her death, was discussed as well as the joy they had as a missionary couple in Nigeria for twenty years.

How has “Uncle Harvey” helped?  After he read the Medenblog – “Letting Go,” he lamented changes that I referenced, including a move to Middleville, Michigan.  Harvey got me thinking I needed to write a sequel to “Letting Go,” which led to “NOT Letting Go,” where I noted that I am not letting go of relationships, memories, and encouragement.

And then, “Uncle Harvey” stopped in again recently.  He complimented me on both blogs, but then he gave me an assignment – “You need to do one more!  You need to let people know that He will never let us go!”

Rev. Harvey Kiekover is now in his 90’s.  His life has been filled with joys and sorrows.  He has a wisdom that comes from seeking to follow Jesus and living a life of long obedience in the same direction. When Harvey said that I needed to write one more, I knew he was right.

I went to seminary, but I usually reference my wife, Jackie, for being the theologian who came to summarize a biblical truth we have said to each other over our 44 years of marriage.
Here is what Jackie and I have said to each other at difficult points in life – “God did not bring us this far to drop us!”  In other words, God still has us, and He has promised to always have us.  After all, we are His children through the work of our elder brother – Jesus Christ.

While I was preparing to write this Medenblog, I was in the ongoing process of sorting and arranging my books.  During this time, I came across a “Blue Psalter Hymnal.” I looked on the inside of that hymnal and saw my name printed by me in a very readable font, as well as a stamped note that this book was the property of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Fulton, Illinois.

This hymnal was bound by black duct tape which recalled for me that at one point the hymnals that were in that worn condition were offered to be taken and I took one.

This is the hymnal from which I learned to sing songs to God.

It was the hymnal in the pew when I stood up to make my Profession of Faith.

This hymnal contains the song that has become a “family song.”  That song was sung when my grandfather died, and it was sung for when our son and our daughter were baptized.  I have asked that it be sung at my own funeral, so make sure to remind Jackie!

The song is “Nearer Still Nearer” which is #454 in the Blue Hymnal.

That song was left out of the Gray Hymnal, but it is as my friend and colleague John Witlviet would say is “a heart song” that should be remembered and sung.

It came back and it is number #659 in the Lift Up Your Hearts Hymnal.

Thanks “Uncle Harvey” for reminding us all that God never lets us go!
May that reality frame our living through joys and sorrows!

Nearer Still Nearer
1 Nearer, still nearer— close to Thy heart,
draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast;
shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest,
shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest.

4 Nearer, still nearer— while life shall last,
till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
through endless ages, ever to be
nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,
nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.