"Good-bye"

Good-bye old son, it’s been a run,

With you my saddle pard,

Came too soon, a sad old tune,

And I can’t say how hard,

My ride will be, without you, see,

‘Cause your friendship was true,

Hard to find, been left behind,

So what I plan to do,

Is best I can, to find God’s plan,

And live it everyday,

At heaven’s gate, I know you’ll wait,

Until I hear God say,

Come on home, you need not roam,

Those pastures there on earth,

In Jesus’ name, no more the same,

In heaven find your worth.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NAS)

I dedicate this poem to my good friend, Mark Eagerton, who died almost exactly three years ago. Seems like he just left, since our memories of him are so strong. People have just had to say good-bye to loved ones they lost in the big Kerrville flood. Today I led the funeral service for someone’s grandmother I didn’t know. But again I’m reminded how sad the good-byes can be. Our grief, however, is different from everyone else’s in the world. That because we have the hope of eternal life, both for them and for ourselves. This life is about the life to come, nothing less and nothing else. Like a morning mist it vanishes quickly. May we live it God’s way
Lord, fill us with hope, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.