Tag Archives: Death

Christian Living

ONE SMALL LIFE — BOB PRICHARD

Andrew Allen was just seven years old when he passed from this life on October 22, 2022, after a brief fatal illness. The shock of his death continues to reverberate through his family, church and community in Pikeville, KY. 

Andrew and his family (parents Josh and April, and sisters Ella and Chloe) visited us this past Spring. We had a great time together visiting and seeing some of the sights, including the Vulcan statue that overlooks Birmingham. The fifty-six foot tall statue, constructed in 1903, depicts Vulcan, Roman god of fire and the forge. Andrew was amused, as only a seven year old boy can be, that Vulcan wears an apron, but no pants. Andrew chuckled the whole visit over Vulcan’s “backside.”

We ended the day with Josh leading a family Bible study, including hymns, scripture reading and prayer. Andrew surprised us that evening by quoting the twenty-third psalm flawlessly. Even at his young age, he was taking Bible study seriously.

Everyone who knew Andrew knew he had a sweet and kind spirit about him. When his elementary school friends drew pictures of him to take to April and Josh, the main thing they remembered was his smile, a boy who was a friend to everyone. Sometimes he had a big toothy grin, but most of the time it was a little straight smile that was his trademark since his birth. 

At his funeral, there was a beautiful display with the words, “A small life walked by leaving footprints on our hearts.” The hundreds of people who came to comfort the family and join in remembering Andrew demonstrated very clearly that his “small life” had an outsized impact on everyone he met. And if we had not been forced to step out of our routine by the tragic circumstances, we likely would not have realized this. 

Jesus emphasized that even the smallest things done in his name are noticed by the Master, and more importantly, they matter. “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:35–36). “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). No matter how small we may be, we can make an impact.

As we sought comfort in Andrew’s death, our hearts immediately went to David’s grief at the death of his child, when he said, “now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). This was a common response, because it really does matter, and losses such as this bring home the fact that we must be prepared to live this life in such a way that we will have a grand reunion.

Having Andrew’s “footprints on our hearts” reminds us that everyone matters, even if they are not our loved one. Our Father notices everyone. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6–7). There are many among us that are not important in the eyes of the world, but they are important to our Father, and should be to us. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

Grieving for Andrew has been hard. He was much loved. What do people who do not know the Lord do? How do they begin to cope? Paul encourages as he writes, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). He comforts us, and we comfort one another.

One small life, yet he blessed so many, often just with a smile. Will we be inspired to live better by this one small life?

Christian Living

“THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE” — JOSH ALLEN

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:13-14)

Before this, Jesus “…called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.'” (Matthew 18:2-5). 

I recently quoted these verses at my son’s funeral, and they have been in my heart ever since. They remind me how bright a little light can shine.

Like the disciples, our perception of greatness often needs to be checked. The context of these passages reveals that the disciples were privately jockeying for position and debating who would be the greatest among them. When Jesus challenged them, they became silent because they were ashamed (Mark 9:33-34).

Jesus also knows our secret discussions. He knows that we often believe that we must impress others with our vast knowledge or great skill or employ grand gestures and mighty works, like those mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Yet Paul reminded the Corinthian church that such great works were nothing compared to true love. His description of love begins with these words, “love is patient, love is kind…”. But that sounds too simple, naive, and little. Right? Wrong! We forget that God does His best work through the little things. A life consistently demonstrating the “little things” like kindness and patience can make a big difference.

To help His disciples understand this, He showed them a child. He has also helped me understand this through a child, through the example of my son. Although he was just a 7-year-old boy, his impact on others has been evident to me in the last couple of weeks.

His impact was evident in the hundreds of people who came to pay their respects at the visitation. The line at the calling hours extended into the parking lot. Around 800 people waited patiently for hours in that line. 

His impact was evident in the packed auditorium at the funeral. People filled every pew, and chairs had to be set up for everyone to have a seat. The local schools closed so students and teachers could attend. Even more surprising is that the funeral service now has 4,676 views online! 

His impact was evident among those who chose to “Wear Blue for Andrew,” which included many nearby schools. It was also apparent on Fist-Bump Friday at Pikeville Elementary when the UPike Football team showed up in custom T-shirts with his name on them. They also honored him on game day with stickers on their helmets and named him an honorary Captain. 

His impact was evident through the countless posts online where people shared their special memories. Parents hope and pray that their children listen to the lessons they are trying to teach them. While my heart remains broken, it also soars as I hear story after story about my son’s kindness to others and willingness to help those around him. 

One day in the lunchroom at school, Andrew quietly and discretely got the principal’s attention. When he walked over, Andrew asked, in a whisper, if he could give his lunch to a little boy at another table who wasn’t eating. He was worried that the boy didn’t have food for lunch. It turned out that the little boy had gotten in trouble before lunch and was pouting about it, but the story illustrates the kind and thoughtful person Andrew was. 

His classmates shared how Andrew would help them whenever they needed help with their schoolwork and how he was a friend to everyone. Many of the children told their teachers that Andrew was their best friend. One teacher said she had never heard so many kids say that about one child. A local TV station ran a story about Andrew and his school with the headline, “Better because of Andrew.” Superintendent David Trimble said, “He made a difference in this world. I think about our family here–our family was better because of Andrew… I think Andrew was really good at the things that we sometimes call ‘little’ that are just so giant.”. Principal Glenda Adkins added, ”He was just such a great kid and brought a lot of light to our hallways and to our classrooms.” 

I never imagined one little life could impact so many. A bulletin board in the hallway of our church building now reads, “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” As I read that, I realized that is what Andrew did. So many people have mentioned his smile. In a letter to the district, Mr. Trimble said, “This young man had a smile that truly brightened our classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, school buses, and playground, and he had as kind of a heart that you will find anywhere.” It seems like such a small thing, but the world needs more smiles, kindness, and love. When you think about it, that’s not such a little thing, is it?

We chose the name Andrew for our son because the Apostle Andrew was known for bringing people to Jesus (see John 1:40-41, 6:8-9, 12:21). We envisioned that he would follow me into the ministry one day. Never for a moment did we imagine that the greatest sermon he would ever preach would be his short, beautiful life. His life, not his death, has touched thousands of hearts! And it reminds me that the so-called “little things” matter. 

“Better because of Andrew” is not just a cute slogan; I know it to be true. He made a difference and continues to make a difference. 

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Footnote:

Christian Living

TERMINAL — BOB PRICHARD

Southern philosopher and humorist Lewis Grizzard said, “Ever notice the first thing you see at an airport is a big sign that says ‘TERMINAL’? Have a nice flight.” There are many who fear air travel, and either refuse to fly, or when forced to fly, they must tranquilize themselves to prevent all-out panic. Experts say that flying is the safest way to travel, but when a plane crashes, there are few if any survivors.

“Terminal” is an interesting word. If you are in the academic world, a “terminal degree” is the pathway to a good job, and there are many fields where the lack of that master’s degree or doctorate guarantees you will never go very far. A terminal is very important in electrical connections, and a faulty terminal can mean disaster. A computer terminal is a needed fixture in libraries and many businesses. 

The first definition of terminal in the dictionary is: “of, at, relating to, or forming a limit, boundary, extremity, or end.” The definition that may most concern us is the one that says, “Causing, ending in, or approaching death: fatal.” That’s why Grizzard’s comment may hit close to home. “Terminal” should remind us that we all are … terminal.

As the writer of Hebrews discussed Christ’s sacrifice for us as our great High Priest and also the sacrificial Lamb, he asserts, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Regular appointments with the doctor may postpone that appointment with death, but we must realize that it is only a temporary postponement. We all are terminal, all set to die at some time.

When it comes to “flying through life,” we can let that knowledge that we all are terminal paralyze us with fear, or we can boldly proceed in the knowledge that this life is not all that there is. Jesus promised,  “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  I don’t claim to know all that this means. Even the disciples didn’t fully understand this. “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” But I do know and trust the One who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:2-3, 5, 6).

Yes, we are terminal. But God is in control. Have a nice flight.

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Where Do We Go When We Die? (WVBS)

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Where do we go when we die? What happens to us after we breathe our last breath? These are questions that everyone has pondered. The world offers many answers to these questions: from reincarnation, to becoming a ghost, to ceasing to exist. Bible believers, however, don’t have to engage in these guessing games because we can know the answers to the questions not only where did we come from, but we can also know where we are going. In this video Don Blackwell explains the journey of the soul, tracing it from the point of conception into eternity.

Where Do We Go When We DIe? from World Video Bible School on Vimeo.