My daughter and son in law recently re-planted her dad’s gravestone site. It was overgrown and needed a fresh makeover. The results are beautiful and the project was healing; bringing us together in a sweet and memorable way.
This family project triggered some memories in my heart and mind. Joe, my late husband, purchased two long rows of grave sites from the Cloe cemetery board so there are multiple burial spots. I asked Joe why he wanted to purchase so many spaces because we only have two kids. He said our extended family may want to be buried there and our own family would grow in time. But, if they didn’t choose to do so, he continued, “If you ever hear of someone in town that needs a place to be buried because they’re homeless or they don’t have family to help out with this, then you plant them right here beside me.”
Joe was an average guy who trusted an extraordinary God. He knew His Creator personally. Because of this vital relationship, he had abundant wisdom through good times and bad. This knowledge and discernment from above guided Him to live an extraordinary life and to leave an remarkable legacy. He knew his life on earth counted towards his future in heaven. We will see him again in heaven because Jesus is his friend. Joe knew Who he loved and Who loved Him.
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Father God, this verse is true in this life and in the next! Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8 Thank You for Joe’s life. His actions on earth directly impacted his future in heaven with You. His story will be told to the world. His children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court. Psalm 127:3-5 Amen.