Last Friday, Roxanne and I returned from our trip to northern California. It was an eventful trip and, yes, one to remember. It wasn’t that the trip itself was memorable. Rather, the purpose of the trip was to remember. I had the heavy honor of giving the eulogy for Elmer Prout, a man who had a profound influence on my life. Memories flooded in, and the flood continues. Each of those memories deepened my appreciation for his significant life. I also find that the act of remembering has been an important additional blessing. The writer of Hebrews said, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:7-8 NIV). How true that was for Elmer!
While in the Sacramento area, we stayed with my brother-in-law, Frank Whicker. His wife and my sister, Pat, died in 2018. She was, in many ways, my hero, and her pictures were prominently placed on several walls. Again, memories were all around me, and I missed her, all over again. Yet, the memories served as a sweet reminder of a sister I so loved. On the day before we left, we visited a dear woman who lived in the house where my mom used to live. More memories, now of the mother who loved and raised me, and always supported me. My mind, for a lot of reasons, went to Paul’s second letter to Timothy: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV).
On the Sunday while we were away, we visited the church family with whom we ministered for 11 years. It was a thoroughly joyful time, and yet presented an opportunity to remember several who left to be with the Lord in the intervening years. Paul’s words to the Philippians are appropriate: “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3 NIV), for that is exactly what we do with Chico!
Finally, there was the Lord’s Supper in Chico, where a dear brother called us to remember Jesus. This is the vital call we receive every time we come to the table of Messiah, Jesus. In remembering Jesus, we renew our own commitment to Him. Once again, Paul’s words to Timothy speak to us:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:8-10 NIV).
Indeed, it was a trip to remember, and in remembering, we were richly blessed.
Tim Kelley