The last couple of weeks have been enlightening to me. When I received the call that my mother had died on February 13, I was numb with shock. All the way up to Florence, I thought about the last time I had seen her and what I had said to her and she to me. I saw my sisters in tears, and my dad, whom I have rarely seen cry. I have shed tears, and I have been in somewhat of a fog ever since. I can’t think clearly (some would argue that I was never able to do that anyway), and at times, when I least expect it, I feel that I am about to burst because of my emotions. I am not hungry anymore (that is amazing in and of itself). I get distracted so easily, and have trouble concentrating at times.

All of these symptoms that I have experienced are symptoms of grief. Sometimes I wonder if I am grieving “right,” but I know that everyone grieves differently. I am learning what many of you have already learned the hard way, and I am more sympathetic than I have been in the past. I have also learned:

1. God means what He says.
I have never doubted that, but as I sat and listened to the sermon at my mom’s funeral, I thought about how often I have said some of the same things, and quoted the same verses. As I listened, I was quoting each one of the verses in my head and thinking to myself how comforting these words really are. When God tells us that He is the God of all comfort, He means it (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). When He says that He will never leave us nor forsake us, He means it (Hebrews 13:5-6). When Jesus told his disciples that He is now in heaven preparing a home in heaven for us, He meant it (John 14:1-3). And every one of those passages means a great deal more to me now than they did four weeks ago.

2. The value of friends and neighbors.
I was impressed by the outpouring of love from the New Hope Church of Christ, where my mom and dad attend church. They brought food and helped us in more ways than I can ever know. What impressed my family were those who traveled from South Cobb to be with us at this time in our lives. To each one of you that made that trip, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would mention each one by name, but the way my thinking has been lately, I am afraid I would inadvertently omit someone. You made an impression on my dad and sisters, and on those who saw firsthand, how much love there exists in this congregation. Thank you.

3. How much it hurts, and how much I miss her.
I can’t tell you how many times I have picked the phone up to call her, and then think, “I can’t call her anymore.” I can’t talk to her about my problems, or get her advice, or eat the food she has prepared, or . . . all that is gone. I wish I had told her more often how much I loved her and thanked her for the sacrifices she made for me and my sisters as we were growing up. I am trying to do more of that now with my dad.

4. How impossible it is to really thank those who have shown their support and encouragement.
Every card I have received from you has been kept, and I read them often. There is no way to thank all of you for your prayers, support and encouragement, except to say—thanks. I hope that I can be there for you when you need me as well.

5. The brevity of life, and the surety of death.
When I was a boy, and my mom and dad were in their late twenties and early thirties, I thought that was so old. I probably told them that I thought they were old. Now, at 44, they weren’t old at all. I look back over my 44 years and realize how fast time has flown by. In 26 years, I will be the three score and 10 of Psalms 90:10 (if God grants me that long to live). From my vantage point I realize that isn’t long at all. And realizing that death is sure (Hebrews 9:27), it makes me want to be better and more righteous in all that I do. We take too much for granted—our homes, families, jobs, loved ones, God and the church.

Tim McGraw has recently written and sang a song, “Live Like You Were Dying.” Brethren, we need to live each day as if it were our last—working and preparing for the day when that day will be our last. What difference would it make in the way we live our lives if this were our last day? What would you do differently? Do it now. If you need help in getting your relationship with God right, then please call. Thank you, and I pray that God may bless us all.