Good Monday morning...

 

… and as we part with another month, I pause to remember my dad, Curt “Bud” Patton, Jr.  He would be 89 years old today, if he hadn’t died in 1986.  Because of my work of the past 20+ years in hospice and bereavement, I have experienced a growing relationship through a continuing bond with my dad.  And that has marked me for my life’s work and passion.

While there is nothing that exceptional about losing a parent, it is the normal course of things, my dad’s death has taught me some valuable lessons about my faith.  The first thing I remember was the deep conviction that his faith in Christ meant he was not gone, but was in fact, in heaven.  My skepticism would grow over the years with the question or observation, “but how can you know for sure?”  But my experience has been an overwhelming conviction that I will reunite with him when I die, or when Christ returns.

I was reminded of the value placed on special days last Friday when I officiated the celebration of life for a 35-year-old man.  He happened to die on May 20, 2026, and that was the 40th anniversary of my dad’s death.  I have very quietly and casually honored that day over the years.  So, when speaking to the parents and loved ones gathered at this young man’s memorial service, I commented on the growing relationship I have with my dad in his physical absence but never-ending presence in my life.  It was intended to give hope, which I have in abundance!

Over the years of officiating memorial services, I have rarely been disappointed with the results of the gatherings.  Every one of them is unique, just like the grief each one of us has for a deceased loved one is unique, but every one of them was marked by love.  This is the most important truth that motivates me in my work as a pastor and chaplain.  Families find peace and fulfillment when they bother to remember their loved one in a ritual like a celebration of life or a funeral.

At church we are going through the book of Hebrews.  As has been my style for over 20 years of teaching the Word, we are going verse by verse through the book.  In a couple of weeks, we will be looking at chapter 12 and there is the reference to “a great cloud of witnesses.”  I often wonder about the cloud of witnesses that, for me, include my dad who died with such a young and growing faith in Christ.  I hold on to my deep belief that when we die, we are saved from this struggle of life with sin and evil, and completed or perfected for our life in God’s holy presence.  In my heart and mind, I imagine that reunion with my dad to be one that reflects a deep love that we had for one another, and a life that celebrates the deepest father-son relationship.

For me, today is the date of my dad’s earthly birth and May 20 is the date of his arrival in heaven.  I wish you all the hope of never-ending love that marks us as Christians.

For His glory,

Pastor Mike