Chapter 11 ~ When Mourning Comes

It was an average January day, I was on my way to the county building for a press conference a friend of mine was holding. He was to announce his candidacy for county coroner. I never made it to the press conference. My brother called me to tell me that my father was diagnosed with cancer. Thirty-nine days later he died.

The death itself wasn't the problem, it was my own life issues with my own health that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I had two surgeries six weeks apart, the second one was just eight days before the phone call.

That was ten years ago.

I still cry. From time to time I still find myself looking through water filled eyes at the world.

Max's words may not bring perspective to your life at this point, but they did when I read them that year my father died. Although I didn't think my father's life was too short, I was not ready for his departure. Max, in speaking about the length of life, writes "...compared to eternity, who has a long one? A person's days on earth may appear a drop in the ocean. Your's and mine may seem like a thimbleful. But compared to the Pacific of eternity, even the years of Methuselah filled no more than a glass."

I learned this lesson at age 12. One of my close friends, Mark, was killed when he was riding his bike along one of the area streets. His wheel hit a pot-hole and fell in front of a car and suffered a fatal traumatic head injury. I stood next to Mark's casket wondering what to think. His mother walked up behind me, put her hands on my shoulders, "Mark's favorite verse was "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" Her message to me? Mark is now with Jesus. My young faith was encouraged. I still am.

You know what is so great about the thought that Mark and my father are seeing Jesus "as he is"? I will too. I will see both of them, and more, someday. Why? Jesus. The Shepherd.

To close I want to tell you a story, it's the best illustration I can think of to tell you to help you understand my personal feelings about life.

Years ago, while I was the pastor at Calvary Community Church, the men of the church set up a fishing trip to Tennessee. I was asked if I wanted to come along, but financially it wasn't feasible on my salary. The men decided that since the trip was already paid for, they would drag me along and allow me some time away for R & R. It was a fantastic trip.

While we were in Tennessee, I realized we would be only a couple of hours from my grandparents home in southern Kentucky. One of the days while the rest of the guys fished, I drove up to see my grandma and grandpa. As I arrived at their home, I drove up that little two wheel path dirt driveway that lead up to the house. My uncle, who lived with my grandparents, was sitting on the porch. I got out of the vehicle and asked, "Do you know who I am?" With a smile on his face and surety in his voice he said, "Yep, you are Bonnie's son." It was as if I had been there so often that I was easily identified. What a heart warming feeling. My grandma and grandpa were thrilled to see me and we spent the evening sharing all kinds of stories from years gone by. It was amazing. It would be the last time I would see any of them alive here on this earth.

Someday, my body will travel it's last mile. I will pull up the driveway of eternity towards the Saviors house. I won't have to ask do you know me. I will be known. It will be a family reunion. There will be people in "the house" that will be happy to see me. Those awaiting me will most likely, in some form, recount the days here on earth. The visit will be sweet. The words will be loving. The emotions will be pure. The food will be amazing (hard to believe anyone could do better than grandma, especially her blackberry/blueberry pies).

When you know Christ as savior, this is the future that awaits. You will be known as you known and you will be welcomed into a "place prepared" for you.

The most amazing part will be, the Shepherd of our soul will be there and we will have all eternity to spend with him. Thanking and praising him for his love and forgiveness. Doing all he bids us to do without sin to make the heart grow weary.

Grief is hard. Grief can derail us. Grief is proof we loved. God is not oblivious of your grief. But the Shepherd knows. He knows. "Yeah though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death..."

If only for a moment, join me in thanking God that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of Christ.

Till next week...