Good Old-Fashioned Values

When we were attending the funeral for Casey's grandmother last weekend, we had to drive 40 miles outside of Waxahachie to Dresden, TX to the interment (cemetery service). On our way, we were in the funeral procession for the entire 40 miles and unlike in the city, people would actually stop on the opposite side of the road and wait for all 20 cars to pass by before they would go again. Then, we saw a man who had not only pulled over but had gotten out of his car, taken off his cowboy hat and placed it over his heart. There he stood by the side of the road until everyone passed - what a respectful way to honor someone he didn't even know. I don't know if it's because we were in the country or if it had something to do with his old-fashioned values - probably a little bit of both - but I will never forget the image of him standing there.

Grief for loved ones lost has been on my mind lately and I think its interesting the way we act as humans - so attached to things we know through experience. It's just the way we're wired, but it really shapes the way that even Christians grieve. We believe that we have a true home, more perfect than the house, family and earth we experience, but the belief and hope for that doesn't erase even the reluctant longing to have things remain as they are - you don't suddenly become at peace with the absence of those you shared your life with and will miss each day. Still, I am thankful for that hope, the victory and the promise. Rich Mullins has a song called "Home" with words that I think are powerful on this subject:

Now the night is fading and the storm is past; and everything that could be shaken was shaken and all that remains is all I ever really had.
What I'd have settled for You've blown so far away. What You brought me to I thought I could not reach...
Now the morning comes and everything that really matters become the wings You send to gather me to my home, to my home. I'm going home.