Devotion For Tuesday, June 26, 2007

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When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it is usually one of 3 things. 1. Someone has the wrong number 2. Someone is playing a prank 3. It's really bad news. Mike's cell phone rang just after midnight this morning. It was our friend Kelly, delivering news that Bob Staton, a deacon in our former church, and very good friend: had passed away earlier in the evening. As we sat in the living room, trying to soak it all in, our children wandered in one by one. I held my adult son, while he cried like a baby. Lauren was just 2 years old when we first began attending Grace Baptist church. None of the 3 could remember a time when they didn't know Brother Bob. There are several members on the prayer chain who know this man: family, friends and coworkers. It is for these that I write today in the hopes that in trying to comfort those that Brother Bob loved, that God will also comfort my heart. The biggest problem is, I could write for days and couldn't tell those who didn't know him about what a wonderful man Bob Staton was. If someone were to ask me to name one person who did his best to carry on the name of Christ in every aspect of his life...I'd have to say Brother Bob. I tried to ask myself what Bob would want me to say to those he left behind. And I keep coming back to an old song by the Kingsmen Quartet. It's called "Wish you were here. I can just see them Walking on the shores of Heaven Praising the Lord And watching the tide roll in Friends that have gone on Oh, how I miss you so And somehow I know if you could That you'd let me know: That you're doing fine And it doesn't hurt anymore Things couldn't be better That Heaven is worth waiting for That you miss me too..and til then You'll be praying for me And I know if you could talk to me now That here's what you'd say to me... Wish you were here, it's such a beautiful place Wish you were here, nothing but clear sunny days Well it never rains, and no one complains And we haven't seen a tear We're having a great time Wish you were here. I can just see them Walking on the shores together They're talking with Jesus Safe and secure in his love Friends and loved ones Walking in heavenly peace And I know if they could talk to me now Then Here's what they'd say to me. Wish you were here, it's such a beautiful place WIsh you were here, nothing but clear sunny days Well it never rains and no one complains and we haven't seen a tear We're having a great time Wish you were here. I want to leave you today with a verse that we read to our kids at 2:00 this morning. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with HIm, those who have fallen asleep with Jesus. He is resting in the arms of his Father this morning. Sleep well, Brother Bob...and know that we will see you again soon.