His Last Words Were . . .

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” Colossians 3:9; “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.” Proverbs 12:22 (NKJV) Have you ever asked yourself why some people make up lies and why others so easily believe them? Well, there was one such story made up about Willie, a jovial fellow that I knew from Little Buffalo, and the Metis leader, Stan Daniels. This happened while we were living up there. One day, a messenger came from Cadotte Lake to tell me that there was going to be an important meeting the next day, and they wanted me to come and interpret for them. I agreed to go. However, the next day the weather was 50 below zero (Fahrenheit). Cell phones were unheard of back then in the 1970s, but the two guys who had come the day before got word to me that the meeting had been cancelled. Worse than that, we heard that Mr. Daniels and Willie, who were supposedly riding together from Peace River, had both frozen to death. The next day, which I remember well, I went to the store at Cadotte. It was quite roomy and was a central gathering place in the community. You had to push the door hard, as it dragged, until it opened wide. That day, there was a group sitting around the big stove talking about this bad happening. Someone said that Mr. Daniels’ last words were, “I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it to your place.” Then he died! Then Willie said something that was barely audible, then he died! We never did hear who this person was who witnessed this and brought the word back to the community. While the guys were talking about having to dig a grave for their friend, Willie, the door opened and a cloud of fog came in, and then in walked Willie! Please help me, Lord, to always tell the truth. — Bill Jackson   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org