Good morning, world. Things are looking good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As I was taking in the beauty of the morning and preparing my Heart to meet with the Living God, I heard the sweet sounds of a turtle dove somewhere off in the distance. The turtle dove is also referred to as the “mourning dove” because of the sad, continuous sounds it makes when it has “lost” its mate. Mourning doves mate for life, and they share in the load along the way. Both gather food to feed their little ones, and both will guard the nest. Life is forever changed when they lose their mate, and the sad sounds they make as they call out for the lost one bring tears to my eyes every time. That, as they say, is “for the birds” – with born-again Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, it doesn’t have to be that way. We are “born twice” and die once,” and we don’t fear the “sting” of death the way the world does because we are Confident in our Hope and our Future. I’ll probably leave behind a few tears when the Lord calls me Home, but I won’t be lost, I’ve just moved to my “forever home”. Isn’t that the way you look at life and death, too?

I’ve been watching as the world pays tribute to Phil Robertson, aka Mr. Duck Dynasty, and what I’ve read has brought tears to my eyes the way hearing the sound of the mourning dove did BUT my tears are happy tears as I watch the world rejoice – NOT over the loss of a Champion for Jesus Christ – but over Heaven’s gain! Of all the beautiful things that have been spoken by Phil’s family and friends, NOTHING compares to him hearing “well done, good and faithful servant” when he went face-to-face with his Redeemer. Phil made it abundantly clear that the most important thing in his life wasn’t his family or his fan club – it wasn’t the money he made in business or the “stardom” he experienced by way of Duck Dynasty. His Greatest Achievement was Salvation, and his Biggest Asset was Jesus Christ. His wife knew it – his family knew it – the world knew it, and it’s for that very reason that we (Christians) celebrate Phil Robertson’s Future a whole lot more than we mourn his death. Paul said it best – “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope”.

When we “lose” a loved one, the mourning sounds that come from the soul are sometimes indescribable, and our life on earth is forever changed. When someone loses a child, the mourning sounds will billow through the Heart of a mother for the rest of her life. Like the mourning dove…life is forever changed, and her heart will never stop calling out for her child. But through the sadness and tears, there is still Hope for those who believe! The Word of God is very clear, life doesn’t end when the body surrenders to death – it’s just the beginning for those who Believe and, unlike the mourning dove, we WILL be united with our Believing loved ones One Day and forevermore! It’s for this Reason that, through the tears, we can still Celebrate the Life of a loved one, and it’s because of this Hope in the Future that we can endure. I don’t know about you, but I want the world to pay tribute to me ONLY for the way I Love and Serve Jesus Christ, and when I die, it will be “party time” for those closest to me because they’ll Know where I am and will look forward to our Reunion One Day.

Thank God I’ve never buried a mate or a child. I’ve lost both of my parents, two nephews, 3 sisters, the sweetest brother-in-law on the planet, and countless friends. I am a woman of Faith, and I find comfort in knowing that the ones I’ve “lost” are really not lost at all…we’re just temporarily separated until we meet again in Heaven. The emptiness in my heart in the meantime can’t be filled by someone else. Life has forever changed by their absence in my life, BUT the pain is lessened when I look at the Bigger Picture, and I look forward to Eternity together with those I love. Born twice, die once.

So long, Phil Robertson. Thank you for being a bold witness for Jesus Christ for all the world to see. I’ll see you on the other side!

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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”

John 14:1-3