Dear Partner,
There are a couple things you need to know before I share this brief story. First, it had been a really long day. The Zoom meeting was scheduled for 7 PM with my brother and a couple of other people and I'd been up and working since about 3 AM. It certainly isn't my normal routine, but it was unavoidable, and that evening left me whipped. To say I was a little out of it when the Zoom meeting rolled around would be an understatement.
Secondly, for most of my adult life, l've heard people say to my brother on numerous occasions things like "You sure sound like your father" or "You look a lot like your dad used to look . Honestly, never saw it, nor did I ever hear it. One was my dad; one was my brother and I'd never really heard or seen them as similar.
The Zoom meeting had some technical difficulties and started a little on the late side. My brother, unbeknownst to me, was in his car for the meeting with only the backlight of his vehicle to illuminate anything, and as everyone made their intros to the meeting I thought for the briefest of moments as Billy spoke that my dad was on the call. It only lasted maybe two seconds before I realized "No, it's just your brother", but for those two seconds, the thought of being able to talk to my dad again was a joy and excitement I can't even really explain. The only thing that would come close to explaining the emotion I felt for that brief moment would be the birth of one of my children.
This past weekend was scheduled to be filled with a couple of open houses, some work outside around the house, and a steak or two on the grill in the backyard. It was beautiful weather and plans were set. Until I woke up with severe back pain — maybe some of you can relate — not like back pain where you walk to the freezer to get the ice pack, but the kind where you crawl from the bedroom to ask your spouse for help.
That led to one physical breakdown after another. I spent the majority of three days in the bedroom and when I wasn’t in the bedroom, I was in the bathroom with a urinary tract infection and possible small kidney stone problem. Even in a health situation as minor as that, the thought of a place I get to go someday with no sickness, no pain, no medication brings joy you can't put a price tag on.
I hope this letter will help encourage you today. Maybe you've lost a loved on recently or are facing a difficult health season. My prayer list from this morning is full of names of folks who made my illness this past weekend look like a walk in the park. Sometimes we need a reminder that heaven is real, and not just a fairytale from Sunday school we heard during our childhood. It's this kind of hope we are praying to instill into the hearts of young people this coming summer.
Last summer over 20 kids made decisions to follow Christ. What if we all prayed that God would help us double that number this year? We've got three weeks full this coming month with another week at 50% and filling up quickly with young people. Kids that need hope to hold on to can't be found in anything our modern conveniences can offer. The hope that offers them the promise of a bright future and an eternal home that's closer than we think.
Sincerely,
Craig
Not the half has been told
A small part not the whole
It goes beyond imagination what's in store.
Soon our eyes shall behold, gates of pearl, streets of gold
But there's more, not the half has been told.