Last night I was asked to share a few thoughts at a memorial service for one of my childhood friends. Ramie and I attended kindergarten through high school together. He was my friend and now, at age 42, he is with Jesus.
He leaves behind two beautiful little girls, a grieving mother, and a host of friends. He leaves behind precious children that he instructed and influenced through his work. And he left behind something else for me…a reminder that life is brief and we have a short time to make it count.
Since his home going I have been thinking about Moses’ words in Psalm 90:10, life “is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Last week I noticed a timbering project going on in our area. On a distant ridge a host of trees had been cut down. And then I noticed the one left standing. Why?
Why are some trees cut down and others allowed to stand? Why are some people cut off early in life and others continue to live? Why is my friend gone at middle age and I am still here?
There are some things we cannot understand. One thing is sure: someday we all will be cut down. Though the winds of adversity may blow we must continue to stand and bear fruit as long as we can.
On my way to the service last night I was meditating on all of this, and suddenly the Lord brought another verse to my mind, “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Psalm 92:13).
God’s people are never really cut down – that is only the perspective from those of us who live in time. The Lord simply chooses to uproot us from this world and replant us in His own eternal presence. Some just get replanted sooner than others.
My childhood friend was not cut down in his prime as many would like to think. He has been planted in the Lord’s house and is flourishing as never before in that place. Perhaps you are struggling with the death of some friend or family member. May God give you the grace to see the one you love from the standpoint of eternity.
We will meet again.
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Thank you for these comforting words. Its something I really needed to read today. I have lost a dear friend a month ago and about to lose another in the next few months. As well, my lovely sister will be saying goodbye to life on earth within the next year. Please pray that my sister, Jayne accepts Jesus into her heart, before she says goodbye to us. She has been asking questions and I never miss a chance to tell her how well my life has gone since I was saved. She was always against Christianity and refused to listen. Although I believe because she was always so adamant, that she’s been closer than the others in my family. “Me thinks thou dost protest too much,” comes to mind. Anyway thank you again, brother Pauley.
I wish you and your family a lovely Christmas and all the best of the Lord in the 2019.
Respectfully yours
Michelle Clements
Praying with you for your sister! Please let us know how the Lord answers prayer. God bless you and your family.
Bro. Pauley, it will soon be 19 years since my wife of 34 years at the age of 53 went home with the Lord. My Pastor sent me an emain with this verse; Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 He said to me the Lord chooses some to see His glory before others. After suffering from breast cancer for nearly three years, March 02, 2000 Jesus must have said to her that morning daughter come and behold my glory.
What a beautiful verse. What a wonderful Savior! Heaven will be so sweet. God bless you my friend.
We’re sorry for your loss! Love the idea of being uprooted & transplanted!❤️
Thank you so much!
Sorry for your loss & for your friends family. My prayer is that we would all see from eternity’s standpoint. Thanks.
Amen. Thank you.
Some day soon, brother Scott . . .
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first! Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord!
I love you, brother. Thank you for sharing God’s work and word. It’s a great insight for a weaker brother in the faith to see how a strong believer processes loss and suffering. God’s peace and comfort to your friend’s family and friends.
Thank you my friend. God bless you all!