I believe that God has a purpose for every person that He created. His plan and purpose for us is not only for a season, but for as long as we live.

I’ve seen some people who, while living God’s plan for their life, get sidetracked when tragedy strikes and question God, asking why.

One such person is one of my friends, Mr. Leroy Oubre, of Paulina. Leroy and his wife, Iris, had four children, John, Eric, Ann and Adrian. He retired from DuPont in 1992, after being a loyal, dedicated employee for 28 years.  

God’s plan for his life was to be a godly, faithful husband and a positive role model for his children. Leroy handled those responsibilities in a manner pleasing to God.  

Nine years ago, his son, John, the oldest of the children, died suddenly of congenital heart trouble. John was a professional in the medical field and about to get married when he passed away. He loved LSU and had season tickets for the LSU games for himself and his dad.  

John’s death left a hole in Leroy’s heart, and his enthusiasm for life was gone. In fact, at many of the men’s morning Bible sharing groups, he said that he didn’t care to live anymore.  

His wife, Iris, later became very sick and was mostly bedridden for two years before going to the Riverlands nursing home in Lutcher. Leroy visited her twice a day and ministered to her every need. He enjoyed talking to the other patients at the home and after Iris’s death, continued to visit some people he had befriended.  

One day a lady at the home asked him to play the piano in the lobby. He told her that he didn’t know how to play a piano. “Why don’t you learn?” she asked. That planted a seed, and Leroy purchased a new Roland piano and is now taking piano lessons in preparation to entertain the people at the home.  

He is excited about the purpose God now has for his life. The other day he told me, “To think, I wanted to die a few years ago, and now, all I want to do is live.”

If you have any question or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.