This weekend a good friend of ours joined Eric in Glory. Lyle Bainter was a man who loved God and loved telling others about Him. He fought cancer for several years and did so with grace and faith giving glory to God all the way to the finish. Please pray for his wife Judy and their family in the days to come.
Lyle’s life wasn’t picture perfect, preacher or not. Several years ago he made a return to his First Love and did so with great joy not wasting any time making up for lost years. A smile accompanied Lyle most all the time and a good word for others went with it. The man was truly a blessing.
At Church T’s early morning prayer today, as one of the girls was praying for Lyle’s family, I had a mental picture of him that I have thought about all day. In this picture Lyle was joyfully giving Eric a “high five” and hugs and they were both totally excited and laughing. I could sense others around them although I don’t know who they were. I just know Lyle and Eric were celebrating.
It was like Eric had been standing at the finish line waiting on Lyle and when Lyle crossed the line they were both exuberant yet casual, as though it was expected. It reminded me of watching a relay team run and then stand waiting at the finish line for the last one of the team to make it home. The team only wins when everyone on it has completed the race. I think Lyle and Eric are waiting there still for several more people on their team to finish at the right time.
Many times over the last year as I have tried to visualize what it must be like in Heaven I don’t remember ever thinking of Eric laughing as I saw him today. I know I have pictured him happy and carefree, but not excited like he was when Lyle crossed the line. It wasn’t like Lyle being there was a surprise to him and for the first time I sensed the reality of each of us making it Home. In Heaven it’s not like it is here for us. In Heaven they are where they’re supposed to be. It’s foreign for us to not have them here, but they are perfectly comfortable and fulfilled.
For someone who misses her husband so much that’s a strange way to think of it but it is also encouraging. Somehow in that split second vision I felt, really felt, what it must be like to truly make it to the end of the race as we know it. I don’t think there is any sadness on their part that they left early, or left loved ones, or didn’t get to do all the things they purposed in their heart. I think they are Home and that’s what matters. I’m sure you’re thinking of the same scripture I am:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only
but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Tim 4:7-8 NKJV
If only I could see Eric right now, celebrating with all those who finished the course before him and anxiously waiting for all those yet to cross the finish line. That’s reality; where we are is only temporary. Neither Lyle or Eric or Frosty or May and Roger or Bill or Patty or Pansy or Lorraine or Sandy or Danny or Neal or Jamie or the countless others we have loved and miss will ever fight another fight of faith. They have kept the faith and won the race. What a promise for the rest of us to cling to!
JEV 