A tribute ...

A friend sent this to me - it was a tribute recently given at a memorial service for a comrade in ministry who had recently passed on. It had touched her so deeply and I found too that it stirred my soul ...

A Crowd Gathers On The Dock

A crowd gathers on the dock as the ship readies for departure.
People huddle around the lone passenger as he prepares to board.
Many tears, many hugs, handshakes, gentle pats on the back.
A few short remembrances, farewells, blessings, quick prayers.
Saying goodbye is always tough.
The most stoic of men have watery eyes.
Finally, the passenger - alone, bent, tired, frail - shuffles up the gangplank.
One last feeble wave to the crowd, a tear down his cheek.
The ship sets sail.
The crowd begins to disperse;
Numbly returning to the routine of life – which seems so mundane yet so urgent.
Cell phones ring. Engines start. Traffic is a mess.
The ship is moving quickly now.
Only a few are left on the dock.
An occasional wave, more tears, deep sighs.
The mast slips quietly over the horizon.
The ship with its only passenger disappears.
The final three people turn to walk into an unknown future.
They have suffered a great loss.

A crowd gathers on the dock as the ship is expected to arrive.
Anticipation mounts.
Suddenly the watchman cries out, “I see the mast! There, just on the horizon!”
As the ship draws near, the crowd swells.
The lone passenger - standing tall, strong, remade - waves to the people he recognizes.
There’s Marilyn!
There’s Scott! He’s only been here a few weeks.
There’s Doug, LeRoy, Loren, even Daws & Lila.
And in the back there’s Abraham, Moses, David, John and Timothy.
The great cloud of witnesses.
The ship docks.
The passenger bounds down the gangplank to warm embraces, shouts of joy, beaming smiles.
Coming home is always wonderful.
The crowd naturally parts to let the Man in White pass though.
The passenger falls to the ground, grabbing the nail pierced feet.
Worshiping in humility, thanksgiving and joy.
The Man lifts him up, puts his hands on his shoulders, looks him in the eye.
“Well done, Ron, my faithful servant and loyal friend. Am I glad to see you!”
Jesus turns to the crowd and shouts, “My beloved Ron is home. Let the party begin.”
The crowd goes nuts: Clapping. Singing. Dancing. High fives.
Some Presbyterians are even smiling. One cautiously raises his hands.
(I can say that, being a Presbyterian myself.)
Jesus escorts Ron through the crowd up the hill to the banquet hall.
He whispers with a twinkle in his eye, “Just wait ‘til you see what I’ve got in store for you!”
Ron smiles bigger than ever.

Yes, Ron has passed from the land of the dying to the land of the living.
No more tears. No more pain. No more sorrow.
Only righteousness, peace and joy – for ever and ever. Amen.