Esther Smith

Esther Smith

A woman of prayer, a servant of the Lord and one of the church’s solid pillars has gone home to God.

Approximately 4,000 friends from 17 different countries were gathered at Brunstad on October 6th for the funeral and memorial feast of our highly esteemed sister, Esther Karin Smith. As could be expected, it was an unforgettable experience for all those who had the opportunity to be present.

When God-fearing people con­clude their life’s course, one is usually reminded of a number of scriptures from the Bible that describe such faithful people’s lives and their work. This was particularly true on the occasion of our dear sister’s passing. Among all these words of Scripture, Brother Kåre J. Smith, her son, chose to start with Exodus 33:18-19, when Moses prayed that he might see God’s glory, and by way of an answer he was able to see all God’s goodness. This infinite goodness is God’s glory. And the glory that was so clearly manifested by Sister Esther Smith’s life was just such a river of this goodness.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Do not fear, little flock . . . .” The fight­ing and victorious host has always been a little flock. Our sister was in this little host. She fought in her prayers. She strove in interceding for others. She was a child of the God of goodness, and she manifested His life, His goodness, His joy, and His shepherd’s mind. She was also pur­poseful in everything she did, right up to her last hour. Some of her last words were, “Now my mission on earth is over.” “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good . . . .” Ps. 34:8. This taste of goodness was so plainly and strongly manifested in her life; one could not avoid noticing it. Thus she created an undertow to the good.

Only a few people can conclude their life’s course with this testimony: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” However, our sister Esther could. Consequently, there is also a crown of righteousness waiting for her, for she loved His appearing, as we read in 2 Timothy 4:8. Yes, she loved the revelations of the Spirit of truth in her own life; she humbled herself under the truth, and in her battle she always had the Word of God in her heart.

“Full of goodness . . . able also to exhort one another.” Rom. 15:14. There was a fullness of goodness behind Esther’s exhortations. But battles, tears, and prayers preceded the exhortations.

Esther and Helge Smith’s children unanimously agreed that their child­hood home was unusually good and harmonious, and the radiance that emanated from their mother filled their home with something beautiful and irresistible. It was on her heart to be a living testimony of God’s good­ness. Heaven and eternity were so near wherever she was. She lived the Word of Life, a life that one could see, feel, and touch. 1 John 1:1-3. She was a living example of Proverbs 4:18: “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”

Brother Bernt Stadven expressed his thankfulness for having had Esther and Helge Smith as solid pil­lars in God’s temple in the church in Oslo for many, many years. Brother Helge Smith also is always on the right wavelength, for together they have raised their son, Kåre, who has become a servant of the Lord of in­estimable significance for the church worldwide.

The memorial feast also was an exceptional experience. Many young people were present, because this weekend was actually supposed to be a youth conference at Brunstad. And the fact that this large group of young people could also attend this memo­rial gathering for sister Esther Smith was an enrichment, and resulted in a powerful encouragement for them to live a God-fearing life.

We received an overwhelming impression of a life in the virtues of Christ, from the mouths of many thankful witnesses. A boat that was filled to the brim with fruit had been erected in the meeting hall, and all those who were present could help themselves to this fruit after the memorial gathering. This was a good illustration of the abundance of goodness from which sister Esther had drawn.

We heard of a sister who had a heart for everyone, who had time for everyone, and who showed an inter­est in everyone. She was inclusive and was not a respecter of persons, whether they were inside or outside the church. A neighbor from Grefsen who had the opportunity to observe her and her family closely called her “the happy mother of children.” Everyone who had come into contact with her experienced that they were something special in her eyes. Her husband, Helge Smith, confirmed this by saying, “Yes, this is how it was,” namely that they meant some­thing special for her.

There is a line in a song that says, “Everything is as it should be in the Lord’s hand.” Brother Kåre quoted this line to her on a given occa­sion, and she confirmed that it was absolutely true for her personally. She was fully and completely in the Lord’s hand, and she was fully and completely satisfied and glad.

When Kåre once called her “king and priest” according to the Scrip­tures, she thought that that was say­ing too much about her. But Kåre said that it was only another way of saying that she was a servant. She thought that was more fitting, be­cause it was her life to serve.

Yes, our dear sister was an elder brother, spiritually speaking. She was “old” in goodness, care, and wisdom. She possessed insight and was rich in knowledge in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Col. 1:9.

When one of her daughters asked her if she had an exhortation to give for those who were left behind, her exhortation was: acknowledge the truth and be humble. And she had this exhortation for the young people: Exercise yourself in listening to the Lord’s voice in your heart!

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:10: “As poor, yet making many rich . . . .” This was Esther Smith’s life. This memorial gathering at Brunstad on October 6th was also suitable for mak­ing many rich. Esther Smith did not fear death; Christ was her life and death was gain for her. Therefore the end of her life was not a deathbed, but on the contrary, a life bed, as Brother Kåre J. Smith so aptly put it.

Her remembrance is blessed amongst us. May God continue to bless and strengthen our dear brother, Helge Smith, as well as the large succeeding generations of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.