Jack and Back

"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory"...

The memorial service for Deaver's father was today. Chaz, Jim, John, Roger and Deaver all spoke. Over and again, the legacy of Dr. Jim Mallory was a consistent theme: he lived his life with intention and purpose; he did not ever quit his race (literally or figurative); he lived committed to serving others; he lived "like he was dying"; he lived and breathed the Word of God in everything that he did.

What a tribute! What a man! I met him more than once but the first time that I met him was when Don and I and several others went to visit him and Betsy at their "big house" in Big Canoe, GA. That was a great trip... it was also a taste of something that Don and I had yet to experience: the length of time that it takes for young married couples with babies and toddler to get ready to go ANYWHERE.

Chaz or Deaver would say, "Let's go to the lake." Don and I were ready in 10. It took everyone else an hour and a half! We had no idea at the time the effort and energy it took to get little children ready to go somewhere. Whew!

After that trip, I met Dr. Mallory a few other times, but what I remember most vividly about him...and this was mentioned today...was his bright colors that he wore weather he was running, biking, hiking, etc. Deaver would post pictures on social media now and again. There was a joyfulness about him that I learned much more about today.

Deaver talked about the year that she found a sport to engage with her father in. I think she said it was 2002 (maybe 2012)...at any rate, she entered her dad and herself in a bike ride on the Natchez Trace...300+ miles. Neither had ever ridden a bike in a sport setting.

Nonetheless, they trained together and took the trip and finished the race. There's a lot more to the story. It's beautiful, but today, when Deaver spoke during the service, she lit up when she talked about the shared love for biking that she and her dad had together.

I clearly remember Deaver getting into cycling. I recall her passion for riding, her excitement and her "stick-to-it-ness." I remember her mentioning her father and their rides together. What beautiful scenes for me to imagine, then and now--father/daughter time.

I'm so glad that Deaver has those special memories of her and her dad traveling down roads known and unknown, taking in the scenery, absorbing the warmth or chill in the air...just being together...there is nothing better than togetherness. Like Lloyd taught Don and me, "together is better." It is. It is indeed.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

I Timothy 4:7

Flipping back to today's service for Deaver's dad, there were some other special moments that I experienced that gave me tremendous joy...we saw J. and Dina Clarke, their daughter Jordan and her husband, Fran, Sean, Lori, Mallory and her fiance, Allie and her boyfriend, Deaver, Chaz and more. Funerals and weddings often bring people back together...there's a poignancy to being reunited in life and in death. I don't have the words for it, but it is good.

During the service, though, we sang a couple of hymns. Boy, I do love hymns. Growing up on Amazing Grace, Peace Like a River, When We all Get to Heaven and so many, many more, I really enjoyed singing these notes of a lifetime. I will never forget the hymns...

What was super cool about today, was that the two gentlemen sitting behind Don and me at the service, sang in harmony. Oh my gosh, I heard them singing and just melted, listened (and sang) for all its worth...immediately, I was reminded of Gran.

I could hear him singing...at home, in church. He had such a beautiful baritone melody to his voice. Gran was such a scholar.

He was handsome and kind and loved Jesus so much. His office, like Dr. Mallory's, was filled with books interpreting, explaining and teaching lessons on the Bible and christianity. Gran, again like Deaver's dad, could often be found studying the Word, taking notes, praying, reading...precious men of God the Father living the legacy of Jesus through love and kindness...

Today was nostalgic, special, significant, important...

I can only imagine what it will be like when we all get to heaven! It, indeed, will be a day of rejoicing like no other--none lived or imagined. When we see Jesus, we will shout with victory.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I Timothy 4:7

March onward and upward dear ones.

Live like you're dying {we are all dying}

End your battles well

Keep your faith

Finish the race