"When You're Smilin', The Whole World Smiles With You!"

Three months ago this past Saturday, my dear talented, handsome and loving father went home to Paradise to live with our Saviour and Gracious Lord Jesus Christ. This was one of the saddest days of my life, but it was the absolute HAPPIEST day of Dad's life!





While my mother, siblings and close relatives and I were crying, Dad was singing and laughing and Livin' It UP with Jesus and Grandma Rauch and Homer Ritchey and Doyle Martin and Mike Dexter and many more friends who reached their forever home before he did -- and because we KNOW where Dad is and that his joy is beyond measuring, we who are left behind are able to endure the pain of his absence. The edge has been taken off a bit from the sharpness of the pain because of the incredible HOPE we have in the saving grace of Jesus Christ -- a gift from God, freely given to those of us who accept it.





Dad went through the process of dying just the way he lived -- with integrity and trust in God. He taught us about the JOY of our salvation because of our ultimate destination and he lived out that joy and trust until he took his last breath. He did not fear death because he knew that was the way God ordained for us to reach Paradise.





Did he question God's timing (he was 67) and means (cancer) of taking him home? Yes, yet at the same time, he knew God was in control and that all would be well no matter what.





Is it OK to question? Certainly. It is what we humans do -- children question parents, employees question employers, God's children question Him. When we don't like the answers -- or when we don't even receive an answer -- that's when our trust has to kick in more than ever -- and this is NOT an easy task for most of us, yours truly for sure.





One thing I know: God's grace and strength is sufficient WHEN we need it. It is amazing, really! He enables us to remember Dad and to celebrate his life and legacy with a thankful and joyful heart even in the midst of our sadness.





Dad maintained his sense of joy and humor throughout his illness and the last days of his life. He not only showed us how to live, he modeled for us how to die and for these things I will be forever grateful.





Those who came in contact with him during his illness always went away inspired because of the confidence Dad showed in God and because of how it was evident that Dad was making the most of each moment he had left on this earth, doing what gave him (and GOD) and his family pleasure: riding his motorcycle, singing with the River Valley Boys, preaching and spending time with those he loved.





Because he was smiling, we smiled too. And because I KNOW he is smiling and laughing and singing right now in Paradise, I can smile and laugh and sing too, while I'm living on God's beautiful green earth! It's what he would WANT me to do! And we WILL see each other again!