Powerful words, “Jesus will meet you there”.
How many times have we faced trials, when the unbelievable happens, and we find ourselves reaching out to the Savior, because there is no one else to help? 
The boss calls a meeting with news that the plant is closing, or the doctor tells you the awful results of the tests. “Jesus will meet you there.”
The missionaries living in a very remote village suddenly find their 4 year old son is desperately ill and must get to a hospital. But the helicopter is not available. “Jesus will meet you there.”
You are planning a trip, departure is imminent, but the passport office has not returned your travel documents. Only a miracle will allow you to join your group. “Jesus will meet you there.”
Composer and Christian musician, Steven Curtis Chapman faced one of those unbelievable tragedies with the death of his daughter, and from that came this most beautiful reminder of the constant presence of our Savior. “He will meet you there, ‘cause He’s already been where you’re going.”
Recently we were privileged to sing this beautiful song in the church choir. But I had no idea how poignant the song would become to me. Two days later, as the song continued to play out in my head, the last verse became reality. “When the phone rings in the middle of the night with tragic news, whatever valley you must walk through, Jesus will meet you there.” 
The call came as I was already in bed, saying, “Daddy has fallen” and I had better come home. But throughout all the arrangements, the journey and the time in the hospital, Jesus was there with His everlasting arms. Every step I took in that valley, He was there.
I know that the Lord has met my needs, and I trust Him to meet the needs of my mother and my family as they travel down that road as well. I know that there will be times when the grief is hard to carry but I know that He will meet us there.
We had a wonderful celebration of Daddy’s life at the church, remembering the joy, the laughter, the special times. In so many ways that bittersweet time will remain for me a time of healing and family more than sorrow and parting.
I would like to share with you a little bit of who my father was. He is one reason that I walk hand in hand with the Lord. His faith and spiritual leadership taught me much.
Daddy would put us to bed at night, reading Bible stories from both the Old and New Testament. He taught us the importance of prayer, showed us the truth of God’s father love.
Daddy was an inventor, a writer and he loved to challenge my creativity. Daddy holds more than 90 patents and one of his final instructions for us was to pass on a note of humor at the memorial service concerning one of his patents. But …… I will share more of this in a separate entry honoring my Dad.
Our gracious Heavenly Father loves to challenge and nurture us and carry us through the tough times. My earthly father is only a picture of the Heavenly Father. And each time I remember Daddy’s love and strong leadership in my life, I know that it is a reminder of the deep love our Father had for us in sending His Son to die for our sake. “Jesus will meet you there.”
I know that the Lord will meet each of you there as well. And I want to thank each one who has upheld each of us in prayer, and send such wonderful memorials and words of comfort. The Lord has held me in His loving arms.