It Never Gets Easy To Say Goodbye

There will always be those moments in life that will bring us great joy and fond memories.  There will also be those times that will bring us great sadness and sorrow.   Today seemed like just another ordinary day, but I received some bad news today.  I heard that a friend and fellow Christian had died today.  I am shocked and saddened at his loss.   He was an older gentleman, but even still a loss is still a loss no matter how long someone has been on this earth.

I am praying for his wife an his family and his countless number of friends that he has made throughout his life.  He will be missed by all that knew him.  He and his wife took care of a small Church in Selden, Maine.  They have invited me down there to speak for the past several years.  I end up preaching four or five Sundays and they have other people come and preach the Word also during the Summer months.  We always had fun and a good time in that little Church.

My mind is full of memories of my friend and his wife.  I remember last year he mentioned that he would like to have the song, "Hallelujah Square", played at his funeral.  I played that song for him on my guitar when I was down to Selden last year preaching.   I do like that song and every time I play it or think of it I am sure I will think of him.

The lyrics go like this:

Hallelujah Square

Recorded by the Cathedrals

Written by Ray Overholt

I saw a blind man tapping along

Losing his way as he passed through the throng

Tears filled my eyes, I said friend you can't see

With a smile on his face he replied to me

I'll see all of my friends in Hallelujah Square

What a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus His glory to share

And you'll not see one blind man in Hallelujah Square

I saw a cripple dragging his feet

He couldn't walk like we do down the street

I said my friend I feel sorry for you

But he said up in heaven I'm gonna walk just like you

I'll see all of my friends in Hallelujah Square

What a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus His glory to share

And you'll not see one cripple in Hallelujah Square

I saw an old man gasping for breath

Soon he'd be gone as his eyes closed in death

He looked at me and said boy don't look so blue

I'm going up to heaven well how about you

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square

What a wonderful time we'll have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus His glory to share

And we'll all live forever in Hallelujah Square

There is hope for us in Jesus Christ.  One day we will be reunited in Heaven with all of those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus for salvation.   It is appointed for each one of us to die once and then we must appear before the Lord.  Only those who are trusting in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will enter into Heaven.  I know my friend was ready to see Jesus and that he is in the Lord's presence right now.  He has no more pain, no fear, no aches, or pains. 

Are you ready for eternity?

Are you trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

I pray that you get ready before it is too late.

I know that one day I will see my friend once again at the throne of God.

I am trusting in Jesus Christ.  He died for my sins and yours.  Come to Him and receive His forgiveness and the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven.

I will see you later, Don, in Hallelujah Square.

Lord,

It hard to say goodbye. but we trust You to be with us in times of grief.

Be with my friends family and his wife.

Lead us and guide our steps towards You O Lord

In Jesus name,

Amen