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Mr. Eugene Smith














“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”- Psalms 116:15

About a week after my mother's passing in 2007, I was having my evening prayer time and I had a curious question for the Lord. I prayed: "Lord, I know the Psalms say it is precious when a saint dies, but why is that exactly?" Well, God did not answer me right away, but He let me "sleep on it". The next morning I was having morning prayers when I heard His answer in my heart. He said: "It is precious to me because I love you and you are coming home to me". Tears filled my eyes, because I had never realized that His love for me includes His desire for me to be where He is. We so often only think about going home to be with Him, but He longs for us to be at home by His side when our mission on this earth is completed.

Today, another dear saint went home to be with our loving Lord. His name was Mr. Eugene Smith, known as "Coonie" to his family and friends. He was the father of my brother-in-law. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and yes, even great grandfather. He will be remembered for his many gracious attributes, and smile. He will be remembered for the love he gave. We are all saddened at the news of his passing.

For all his wonderful, memorable attributes Mr. Smith will be remembered. However, there is yet another very important attribute about him you should know. He believed and trusted in His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and served him in His church for many years. As such, by definition he is “numbered” with the saints, Biblically speaking, and since his mission on the earth was completed and his room in the House of God was now completed, he went home. Jesus had this to say in John chapter 14:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

You see, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, this earth that you see, hear, touch, feel, and experience should be considered just a temporary home. The Bible makes it clear that what we experience on this earth is just a passing paradigm. The Apostle Paul wrote that, "..eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Today, Mr. Smith is experiencing first hand what Paul wrote about. What a wondrous thing to be at home with his mother, father, and the rest of his earthly family who were awaiting his arrival. Yes, and right there in the middle of this joyous gathering is our Lord himself, with His arms open wide to meet Mr. Smith. So, although we shed tears today, let us remember that our time to go home to join our dear friends and relatives is coming. Because remember, this is just a temporary home. In the words of Carrie Underwood’s song entitled “Temporary Home”:

"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This was just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know... this was
My temporary home."

Our prayer for today: Dear Father, thank you for your love, your faithfulness, and your glory. Thank you for the life of "Coonie" Smith. Thank you for the memories of him that we will always cherish. Thank you most of all that for those of us that call you Savior and Lord, as Coonie did, we have the blessed promise of a reunion with him in the home that you have prepared for us. A home where there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain. Thank you Lord Jesus for making this all possible by your death and resurrection. Finally, Father we ask you to comfort the family and friends who mourn the loss of Coonie, and we know that you will because you are our loving and faithful Father. It's in the name of Jesus that we pray these things. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

Blessings!
George