A Prepared Place

The timing couldn't have been better for us to give thanks and feast together as a family. This week was my "normal" week before round 4 begins tomorrow, and we had an absolutely wonderful time laying low, playing games, and watching movies. And eating of course. I'm now up 25 pounds (and counting) with the most ferocious appetite of my life. Again, perfect timing for the holidays (bring on the pie!) Since we're in a no travel season, this meant Thanksgiving was just the 4 of us this year. But that didn't stop me from channeling my father-in-law (aka Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights) as I said grace: "Dear sweet baby Jesus, I just want to take time to say thank you for my family, my two beautiful and strikingly handsome kids - Walker and Texas Ranger. And of course my red hot smoking wife, who is a stone cold fox..." I'll forever admire Pop Pop for starting a new family tradition even though he didn't know it at the time. While our house was full of laughter and smiles this week, our hearts are also extremely heavy at the moment. My good friend Jim passed away yesterday after battling cancer for the last two years. It's hard to put raw emotions and feelings into words when the reality of cancer goes to the extreme, especially as we're still in the middle of treatment. But I saw Jim and his wife Sue live with such faith and grace that I pray will impact you too even if you don't know them or their story. Jim said that cancer tends to give your walk with God a heightened sense of awareness, which we have now also experienced firsthand. Jim repeatedly talked about how he and Sue developed an increased passion for God's Word and God's love along with a realized joy for what is really important - namely relationships. Their relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Immediate and extended family. Their church family. Co-workers and neighbors. This too is where cancer helps clarify meaning and substance. Whether cancer has entered your world or not, now might be a good time to reflect on what matters most to you. And then for us to more significantly align our calendars and priorities accordingly (I'm still working on that one even though our pace of life has radically slowed down). But I was most inspired by Jim when he talked about his ultimate destination with conviction. "I'm looking forward to heaven. I think it's going to be awesome. I'm excited to be a citizen of a place where there is no suffering. I really hope they have donuts by the way." Jim didn't just talk the talk, but he walked the walk by trusting in the promises of God. Jesus told his disciples that there are many rooms in His Father's house, and he was going to prepare a place for us so that "where I am going, you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." A quick clarification from Thomas in the heat of the moment: "Um, Lord - we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way??" The response from Jesus is the boldest and most straightforward thing he ever said. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jim knew The Way and proclaimed that "my home is not of this earth but in heaven with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." And he's certainly dancing there now. As we sang In Christ Alone at church this morning, the final stanza gripped my soul afresh thinking about Jim's life. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I'll stand. If you'd like to hear Jim's message from last year on The Power of God, you can watch it by clicking on the link (click at the 30 minute mark).