A Date for Which We Will Not Be Late

I just saw a story on television about a father who received a Father’s Day card from his estranged son. And of course millions of American fathers receive such greeting cards on a yearly basis, and thus one might naturally respond, “Well, so what?” However, after you read their story I think you will agree the account represents a singular scenario.

For you see, “Mr. Brown” not only received the card a few days late on the calendar, but it arrived in an entirely different century than that in which it was originally mailed. It seems this Father’s Day card was mailed in 1989, (re. 20^th century) and only just arrived this year, (re. 21^st century); and thus, 26 years late.

His son, Todd’s, card was covered in “Return to Sender,” “No Such Person” and other stamped impressions, and scribbled remarks, and had obviously traveled back and forth between several cities over the years.

And “the rest of the story,” (as Paul Harvey might have said) is that Mr. Brown’s son, Todd, passed away before the turn of the century; apparently never having reconciled his differences, (and vice versa) with his father.

The foregoing incident brings to mind a personal experience of my own.

My wife and I had driven about an hour from our home to be with our daughter during the birth of her first, (and thus far only) child. Since Kristy’s labor was prolonged, we decided to stay over at a local motel. While we were there a former client left a message on my cell phone. “Kathryn” shared that her uncle was very sick, and in the hospital, and would I pray for him. Of course, I did, and continued to do so over the next couple of days. And since I was out of town at the time, I decided to contact my client when I returned home; (which I subsequently did).

Our conversation proceeded roughly like the following:

“Hi Kathy, this is Dr. Bill.”

“Oh hey, Dr. Bill.”

“Kathy, I got your message.”

(A short pause on her end).

“Uh, what message, Dr. Bill?”

“Well, Kathy I’ve been praying for your sick uncle.”

(A longer pause on her end).

“Uh, Dr. Bill my uncle is

…dead!”

(and)

“I vaguely remember leaving you a message about his illness

…but that was a year ago.”

I had been praying for a dead man!

And in this case, there was no “Lazarus effect.”

(He remained dead).

Apparently Kathy’s phone message had drifted around in an “e-cloud” for a full year before being delivered to my phone!

1 “snail mail” and 1 phone message.

…each delayed.

Ya think? (Delayed is an understatement).

 

They say the only thing which is certain and arrives on time is:

…death and taxes.

Speaking of death there were two baseball players who were members of the New York Yankees club. Bill and Bob were great friends, but one day Bob died. About a year later Bob appeared in Bill’s bedroom. As Bill woke up from a previously peaceful sleep, of course he was surprised to see Bob. Bill exclaimed,

“Bob, is that you?”

To which Bob replied,

“The very one.”

His friend was incredulous, and thinking of the ghost of Christmas past, Bill anxiously asked,

“Well, what do you want?”

Bob smiled a whimsical smile and said,

“I have good news and I have bad news. There is a New York Yankees ball club in heaven.”

Bill was certainly glad to hear that, and his curiosity got the best of him.

“Well, Bob, what’s the bad news?”

In just over a whisper, his friend replied,

“We’re playing a game tomorrow, and you’re first up to bat!”

Unlike my previous stories of the lost Father’s Day card and my client’s delayed phone message, Providence has arranged a specific manner, time and place for our demise. And we will not be late for that appointment; for scripture assures us that “It is appointed unto man once to die…” (Hebrews 9:27)

As a Christian I made my peace with the Creator just short of half a century ago. I believe it is possible to know that we know that we are destined for heaven.  And while I wish to live out a long a full life on this earth, nevertheless, I look forward to seeing those among my family and friends who have gone on before me. But most and first of all I long to see the face of my Saviour, and hear Him lovingly say,

“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of your Lord.”

 

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "Concepts, Teachings, Practicalities & Stories"