I AM the Resurrection and the Life

I AM the Resurrection and the Life

I AM the Resurrection and the Life.

He who believes in Me will live,

even though he dies.

And whoever lives and believes in Me

will never die.

John 11:25-26a

Three weeks ago, on a lazy Saturday afternoon, I went out to the mailbox and found a single letter.  There was nothing particularly unusual about the missive, other than it was mailed from Phoenix, Arizona - my hometown and the last known address of my adoptive eldest brother.  The letter inside was from a funeral service, asking if I knew of any relatives or friends of the listed individual, who was deceased. 

The name in the letter was my brother’s, albeit his first name rather than the middle name that he had used throughout his life.   RW was a brilliant man who was autistic.  Life had not been easy for him, but he had fought back with grit and a will to survive that pushed him to live his life solely on his own terms.  Six years ago, that determination included scuttling his remaining family relationships and living his life in the solitude he preferred.

RW was a devout Christian and very open about his faith.  When he was still ambulatory, he was the first to show up at church, and probably the last to leave.  He loved morning church services, potlucks, afternoon meetings, Bible studies, Vacation Bible School, and evening “come to Jesus” meetings.  If the church doors were open, RW was in attendance!

RW died of respiratory arrest due to COVID19.  I know without a doubt that his guardian angel was at his side, holding his hand, easing his pain.  Rest in peace, brother.  I will see you on the other side.

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Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known;

Join in a song with sweet accord,

Join in a song with sweet accord,

And thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne.

We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion,

We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 733