07/14/2026
On this day, 21 years ago, I sat in the hospital with my sweet mother. I recall her waking up in the wee hours of the morning as if she had been awake and alert the whole time saying, “Son, I look at it this way, I can choose to fight this thing (cancer) and live to testify of God’s glory, or I can choose to go on to Heaven and be in His glory, so I'm in a win-win situation”! She knew we wanted to keep her here, I think she knew we were selfish in our wanting that. The very next day she entered Heaven's gates to rejoice for an eternity! We found out she had cancer on one Friday and then the very next Friday she was gone. It’s hard to believe it has actually been that long ago. We spoke every day and I miss her voice and her encouragement! She was my #1 fan, (if I could have a fan), my best friend as well as my mother! As Christians, we are comforted in times of sadness and grief by the knowledge that we and our loved ones are eternally with us as we recall their words and deeds and the experiences of their lives. Our greatest joy comes when we remember that because Christ lives, they live and that is comforting! Life, like a flower, is fragile and its life is temporary. At the same time it is a thing of beauty, grace and worth. My mother showed all of those to the world. We should enjoy its beauty while it lasts. We spread its joy around for the few moments that we grace this earth, expecting, any second, to be plucked and trimmed, to form a celestial bouquet in the heavens. Makes you feel empty inside. The feeling of emptiness usually comes after you experience a great loss. I felt that way when Heaven gained my mother! Many are able to enjoy a better life because someone emptied themselves to show them the road. Perhaps like me, it was a mother, who gave of herself until there was nothing else to give. There are millions of people who can testify of how they found a better life because someone gave them the best they had, even to the point that they strained their health and loss their strength to accomplish it. They gave the richness of their lives in making it possible for others to find the way. Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can because only you are the artist in your own life and God is the art teacher. If you allow Him to teach you through His word, and through significant people He places in your life and on your path, then the picture of your life will become even more clearer as time goes by. I always thought growing up was something that happened automatically as you get older. But it turns out it's something you have to choose to do. Growing old is mandatory. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give. When this life ends, we can thank Him for the benefit of the golden trail home that our loved ones have paved! I will always miss my mom, Millie Hayes, and thank her for paving the way for me and many, many others while she was here on earth! What we are is God's gift to us, what we become is our gift to Him! Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns!- Bro Roger