Going Home....

Lately, I have been thinking more and more about "going home."  As I looked at the fresh, red dirt, on top of my brother's grave, I felt a deep loss.  I would never hear him speak again... or sing the old gospel hymns that he loved so much.  

There is a song that I have been listening to lately called,  "What Would I Leave Behind?"  The things I would like to leave behind are the things that will last.

One of my greatest encourager's has been Keith Green.  He was a singer/songwriter whom I got to know through his music in the late seventies.  My husband and I couldn't make it to one of his concerts but we sent our preteen daughter.  She came home so excited!  "Mom," she said.  "It was so awesome!  Even if you didn't have the money, Keith Green gave you a cassette tape or album anyway!"

Several years later, I was struggling with the deepest depression that I had ever experienced.  It was all I could do to put my feet over the edge of the bed in the morning and place them on the floor.  I could not pull out of the sadness that had a grip on me and would not let go.  About two months into this sadness and sorrow, an elderly woman whom I barely knew stopped by for a visit on her way to another town.  "I have been praying for you, she said, and the Lord told me to give you this book."  As she placed it in my hands, I could tell by the cover it was about Keith Green.  It said, "No Compromise."  I thanked her and held the book to my chest.  I knew that Keith had died in a plane crash with two of his small children.  I also knew that once I opened this book, my life was going to change.  

As I listened to his music and read his life story... I gained hope each day.  One of Keith's messages was... as Christians, to live as we believed.  He was bold in challenging people to walk strong in their faith.  He was sold out; committed, and loved the Lord with a passion that was contagious.  As I began to seek the Lord's face, the healing began in my heart.

If I could "leave behind" anything when I "go home"... it would be words of encouragement in the Lord.  He is our eternal hope.   He is our Redeemer and Savior.  He is the reason we can get up in the morning and face a hard day.  Our worldly possessions will pass away but the Word of the Lord will last forever.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your  hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."       2 Thessalonians 2:16

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you whether by word of mouth or by letter.     2 Thessalonians 2:15