I was driving to work one morning last week blaring K-Love radio and
singing to the top of my lungs. I had
miraculously left on time and therefore wasn't utilizing my normal lead
foot. I was enjoying my peaceful 30
minute drive when something caught my eye…
An elderly man
working in his garden.
I let out a gasp as soon as I saw him because he reminded me
of someone dear to my heart. I slowed
down so I could take in every bit of the moment. He was awkwardly bent over pulling weeds, and
I could tell he was struggling to do so although he would probably never admit
it to anyone. He wore an old work
uniform and hat. His skin was tanned and
wrinkled from the years of hard work and labor for his family. His eyes were full of determination and pride. He never stopped working.
This man is a son,
husband, grandfather, and friend.
As my car slowly passed by him my heart and soul filled with
longing. As I looked in the rear view
mirror I no longer saw the elderly man, but instead I saw my own papaw. I longed to stop the car and run to him. I longed for the feel of his callused hands
as they wrapped me in a hug. I longed to
hear his voice just one last time and glimpse the twinkle in his eye when he
smiled. I longed for the days when I
would work in the garden with him, knowing now I probably did more damage than
good, but he always let me help.
He was one of a kind. He was
special. He was mine.
Isn't it crazy how one moment can take you back? How you can literally see, smell, and feel
the one thing you so desperately long to experience just one more time?
When a loved one passes you cling to the memories that person left behind. Yet as the years go by you often forget the
little things that defined them. The
moments that you never wanted to forget are so distant they are sometimes hard
to recall...
I am thankful I saw that man. I am thankful God placed him in the garden at
just the right time. I am thankful for the generation of
hard-working men, like my papaw, who pave the way for their families and who
never quit working until they take their last breath. Most importantly, I am thankful for another
man who once prayed so fervently in the garden of Gethsemane before He
gave His life for me. If it
wasn't for His sacrifice for all mankind I would never again get to see
my sweet papaw face to face.
If you are struggling with a loss today; if you long to see and feel someone just one more time; if you
are grasping to hold onto every last memory and thought of your loved one. My hope and prayer for you is that you can
find solace today in Jesus. He made the
ultimate sacrifice in order for us to be saved and live eternally with
Him. One day I will walk through those
pearly gates and my papaw will scoop me up.
He will be callus free and his skin will not show the signs of hard work
and labor, but he will still be my sweet papaw.
That’s reason enough for me to rejoice every, single day!
Who is waiting for you?
Don’t miss the opportunity to walk
through those gates, my friends.
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