We Will Miss You

She was a "one-of-a-kind" lady. She always smiled. She was always ready to "go." In fact, she would tell you, "Don't ask me if you don't really want me to go." And then when you did, she would simply say, "Let me get my purse." She was a small woman, but she was full of spunk. You knew that from the sparkle in her eye and the stories of mischief that were shared. Also because a few years ago she threatened her full-grown nephew with, "I'm going to turn you over my checkered apron and play who'd of thought it." Apparently, she had lots of funny sayings. Only days before she died, she said she looked like "a Tennessee mule walking on ice." But most importantly, she never let anyone leave without telling them, "I love you." In fact, the last words she spoke to me was, "I love everybody." And she did. And everyone loved her, too. That was evident by the hundreds of people that came out to the funeral home in spite of the rain. It was evident by the number of people that gathered around her hospital bed at a moment's notice when we thought she was passing. She never had any children, but she had a LARGE family. A family that was blessed by her life and inspired by her death. We were inspired because we knew where she went. She had finally made the trip of a lifetime that outshined that long-awaited Alaskan cruise that she never went on. She went home to see the two men she loved best: her Savior and her husband. Goodbye, Mrs. Sallie Clemons. We will miss you for now, but we will see you again.

Memorial Day

The unofficial first day of summer. The start of beach season. Not only is Memorial Day misunderstood as the kickoff to vacation time, but also it's significance is missed by many completely. From "remembering" people who have died in the past year to honoring current veterans, it seems that most Americans have no idea what it's all about. Here are the facts: Memorial Day started out as "Decoration Day," a day to honor Union soldiers who died during the Civil War by putting flags or flowers on their graves. (Perhaps this is why hundreds if not thousands of church members skip church on Sundays in May to go to Decoration Days around the world to put flowers on graves of loved ones.) After World War I, the holiday was expanded to include all soldiers who have died in any war. So while we need to remember our beloved dead from the past year and all years past, and while we need to honor our veterans, let's get back to the true meaning and remember that the blood that was shed by our military men and women has purchased freedom for people all over the world. Thank you to these men and women. Thank you to their families. We will never forget your sacrifice.

I Have an Office?

Wow! I really do have an office. In fact, I have two offices. I have an upstairs office and a downstairs office. My upstairs office is large, comfortably furnished, and nicely decorated. My downstairs office is more like a study. It's not as nice as the upstairs office, but it has a private bathroom with a shower -- it's perfect for a quiet place to study or talk to some of my senior adults who have difficulty with the stairs. It's great to have two offices, but in the last 8 days, I think I have spent about two hours there. I just want to say that it's not because I'm goofing off. It's the same reason I haven't posted on here for a while. Our church family has been hit hard with grief in these last 8 days. I've preached at four funerals and attended two others. All six of these were somehow connected with our church family. So if you read this, please pray for these families who are grieving over the loss of their loved ones. But at the funeral I attended today, the pastor made a statement that really summed it all up. Here it is: "When Randy was born, he cried, but all around him people were smiling and laughing. On Saturday, when Randy died, everyone around him was crying, but Randy was smiling and laughing because he went home to be with Jesus." What an amazing thought.

Stress Relief

Three funerals in one week. Two in one day. Someone asked me how I deal with the stress, so I thought I would share my secrets. By going to a great high school band concert -- great job Drew, Whitney, Emily, and the rest of the Hartselle band students. By watching a Little League baseball game -- good games Cole and Matthew. By the prayers of God's people -- thanks Southside family. By listening to a man who tragically lost his father comfort his sisters -- "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," Mitch. By spending time with my staff laughing and eating sandwiches -- you are the best. By talking to my daughters or their husbands on the telephone -- thanks for being there, guys. By walking with my lovely wife around our yard looking at the beautiful flowers God has given us -- thank you, my love. By walking with the God of all comfort who "supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory." My brother constantly reminds me not to neglect that most important aspect of my spiritual life -- and he calls me his mentor. Thanks, Rick, for listening and for understanding. You're the best big brother I ever had.