It is Saturday. Our trip to Dallas has ended with the death of Ann's last brother, Bobby. Growing up in Pharr, Texas she had four older brothers. Bobby was the youngest. His funeral will be Monday at 12:30. I have the sad duty of bringing a message. At the gravesite a military funeral will honor this Korean Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and former Captain in the USMC.
Bobby loved music more than anyone I have ever known. He loved to sing and had a good voice with a range from bass through tenor. He would "rise up singing"; not softly, and not in the shower only! His morning vocalizing might be an aria from some opera he loved. It might be "I'll Fly Away". It could also be a familiar hymn. The day before he died I leaned close to him and said, "Bobby, Suzie (His daughter) and I are going to sing a favorite hymn for you.... we began, "There's a land that is fairer than day..." in a moment we could hear his faint, pain-filled voice singing with us. On the chorus he did the little extra "by and by" written in for the men. We then sang, "How Great Thou Art". Bobby mouthed the words. The voice simply wasn't there.
Monday I plan to do something I have not done before in a service. Instead of Scripture I will read the words from some of the hymns Bobby loved so much. They are all based on the Word. How important is music? For the Believer who is absorbed in songs of faith it is everything. It speaks of our future, and hope and joy and peace. Bobby sang his way right into the presence of the Lord. What a way to go!
Author: Dale Pogue
