We had a joyous reunion yesterday with some long time friends. Do you know the kind? I sure hope you do! They are the kind of friends who are uplifting, joy-filled, encouraging, understanding and genuinely interested in sharing this journey we call life with you. Whenever you meet up with them, it is like no time has passed, and you just “start up where you left off” the last time. Not just acquaintances, but friends. Those kind that can be “closer than a brother”.
You may think it odd that this reuniting with old friends took place at a funeral visitation. It was in memory of a former pastor, and he and his wife were great friends when they ministered side by side with us in SW Minnesota. The minute we saw his wife yesterday, she flashed a big smile and we were immediately in a “group hug”. The memories just came flooding back, and instead of tears we shared several words of laughter and remembering some of life’s best times. We were part of their children’s lives, as they were of ours. And to see them again, all grown with children of their own, just made the circle of love even bigger and better.
Dave did not fear death. He had his bouts with cancer and heart problems over the years. Just recently his kidneys began to fail, and he was at peace waiting to be called to his heavenly home. Fortunately for him, all of his family had time to come and surround him at his earthly home. Peacefully he said his final good-bye.
After we had made our rounds, visiting with other special friends who had also made the journey to “remember”, we made our way back out into the frigid cold and snowy day to return home. That is when I first opened the small funeral bulletin that had been handed to me when we arrived. Inside were written the words to this song, one that I have loved for a long time. A song that inspires each of us who are still breathing and calling this world home to be an inspiration to those who make their way with us day to day.
“ We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road,
and those who’ve gone before us line the way.
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary,
their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace.
O MAY ALL WHO COME BEHIND US FIND US FAITHFUL,
may the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe,
and the lives we live inspire them to obey.
O MAY ALL WHO COME BEHIND US FIND US FAITHFUL.
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us run the race not only for the prize, but as those who’ve gone before us
let us leave to those behind us the heritage of faithfulness
passed on through Godly lives.
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone,
and our children sift through all we’ve left behind,
may the clues that they discover,
and the memories they uncover,
become the light that leads them,
to the road we each must find.”
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
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