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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Going Back Home
In a few weeks I’m going to take a trip “back home.” I haven’t been there in a long time, and there are people there I would like to see, memories I want to recall, places I would like to visit again, and friendships to renew.
Gordon will be there, and Brian and Rosalyn. Don and Carol will come, and maybe Clyde and Gwen. I hope George and Pat and Katy, Ann and Eddie and Larry and— well, you get the idea. For the most part, it has been almost fifty years since I have heard from them. Fifty years since I saw them at our High School Graduation exercises. It will be my 50th High School Class Reunion in Fort Worth.
I may not be able to recognize all of them, for they will have changed. They may not recognize me for the same reason, for time can surely take its toll.
Some will not be there, for death has taken them—Jo Ann, Jack, Bill, Jimmy, Kenneth, JoiLue, Allen, Charlene, and others of whom I am not aware. Of course, not one of us can be sure we will be there, for who can know the future.
You may wonder why I would take the time to write to you about my High School Reunion, but I have an idea you already know. All of us have a reunion in our future. For some, it will be a happy one, filled with the joy of seeing loved ones who have gone on before.
At that reunion, some will be there that I never knew on this old earth. Abraham will be there, and Moses and Elijah and Jeremiah. How many times I have read about them, read their words, wondered about them and learned from their lives. I want to be there. I have looked forward to that reunion for many years.
I don’t know who all will be there, but I believe Simon Peter will be there, and Andrew and John and Timothy and Philip. I want to ask Thomas where he was when Jesus visited the rest of the Apostles that day. Of course, Jesus will be there, and I wonder how it will be to see Him face to face.
A reunion would not be complete without my father and my mother. I would hope to see my best friend from Junior High School, Charles, whom I have not seen since he died in eighth grade. Some of my family will not be there, for some never knew the Lord, never obeyed the Gospel.
For those of us here in Dripping Springs, there are those we would like to see again. We have lost some in the years I have been here that I want to visit with again. I should have made a greater effort to be with them more often. Some day that reunion will come.
There are those whose names I have heard many times, but never met. Paul Sorrell. Glenn Key, Sr. Jarrell Moore. John Hudson and others. Without realizing it, they have had an impact on my life, too.
I was invited to my High School reunion because I was in the class of 1954 at North Side High School. That great “family reunion” that awaits the saints in Christ has an invitation extended to all without regard to geography or time. Jesus has extended that invitation, and all men everywhere are invited to be in the family. In Matthew 11:28-30 we hear that great invitation:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Note that Jesus’ invitation is to “all..that labour and are heavy laden,” and that His yoke and His burden will be appropriate to our ability to serve. It is something like
“The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” Titus 2:11-12.
That reunion is for all, and to be included we must first accept the invitation, but we must not forsake the “right way,” 2 Peter 2:15. It will all be worth it, Romans 8:18.
I have been looking at pictures of High School days, talking to old friends, getting ready to enjoy that May day in Fort Worth. We will laugh, talk about old times, and enjoy each other’s company. I am looking forward to that day.
That heavenly reunion does not have a calendar date to anticipate. We must be ready, for “Of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only,” Matthew 24:36.
I want to be there, don’t you? But we must be ready. Will you be ready for that Great Reunion day?
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“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven,”
“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven,”
“If a person does not enjoy the worship and service of the Lord today, he no doubt would not enjoy heaven either.”
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
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Handling Bereavement
Since the place of death pierces every mortal, it is necessary for all of us to learn how to handle bereavement. I have watched, with great admiration and respect, the courage that has borne many a saint through hours of sorrow. Here is some practical advice I have seen others use in dealing with grief.
- EXPRESS YOUR EMOTIONS. It should not be considered a Christian virtue to be unmoved by the loss of a loved one. There is a difference between suppressing one’s emotions and losing one’s self control. The Bible does not say, “Sorrow not;” but it says, “Sorrow not as others who have no hope,” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
- SEEK THE AID OF YOUR FRIENDS. The very presence of friends is encouragement. When Paul neared Rome, the brethren came to meet him and he “thanked God and took courage,” (Acts 28:15).
- COMPEL YOURSELF TO BE WITH PEOPLE. Your inclination may be to retreat into the refuge of privacy, but there is a greater need than one realizes to associate with others. David did (2 Samuel 12:19-23).
- EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS IN WORDS. Talking about it will help you to accept it. If this is done at the outset of bereavement, one will sooner be able to stabilize his life.
- AVAIL YOURSELF OF SPIRITUAL RESOURCES. Even though you may not have realized the importance of the Scriptures and their comfort, now these can help in building your faith. The power of prayer and the peace of God are very precious possessions.
- DON’T BROOD OVER WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. Both Mary and Martha said, “If thou had been here my brother had not died” (John 11:21-32).
- ACTIVELY PURSUE WORTHWHILE TASKS. Once the initial shock has been dealt with, get busy at other things. Resolve, like Paul, to “reach forth unto the things which are before,” (Philippians 3:13).
- MAKE CAREFUL AND THOUGHTFUL DECISIONS. Many an individual jumps hastily into deciding the full scope of the future rather than waiting until he has regained a proper perspective of life. Don’t get in a hurry. Make prayerful decisions.
- INCREASE YOUR TRUST IN GOD. Those who have come through their sorrows with a deeper faith can verify that God, Who rules over all, truly does make all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).
After the crises of grief, you can serve more fully and sympathize more completely with men of like passions. With Paul, you too can thank God for the comfort received, knowing that it has now given you the ability to comfort others who are in any trouble (2 Cor. 1:4).
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