A Real Love for Home Story

Yesterday, we said so long to another son of Munday. Joe is 66 years old and has been in a battle with cancer for the past two years. The cancer took a toll on his body and, to some, is the victor in the battle. WRONG!! Joe has been on the front lines, armed with the armor of God, and he came out the victor. He, like so many others, had the last word.

I've known Joe most of my life...since grade school days. He and his wife of 46 years were childhood sweethearts. If you spend very many years in a small town like our's, everyone becomes a part of your life. Joe and Polly are a part of mine.

The pastor that performed the service for Joe is also a Munday son. He told a story about when they were boys. The big thing in our town was to 'drag main'...up and down, up and down. Pastor was in his mom's car with 2 or 3 other kids. Joe was in another car with another group of his friends.....up and down, up and down, they all went.

Joe soon pulled over and rolled down the window, motioning for Pastor to stop. Joe yelled out, "Hey, Smith! I need $3.00!!"

"What do you need $3.00 for, Joe?"

"I need some gas!"

"I don't have $3.00!"

"Yeah, you do!"

"What will you give me for collateral?" (At this, Joe was stumped....just for a minute.)

Joe said, " I have my cigarette lighter!!"

Well....at this, Smith just gave Joe the $3.00. (He didn't want the lighter!!)

At this point in the story, Pastor Smith said...."You know, I don't think Joe ever paid me back that $3.00!"

Years later, Pastor Smith bought a small piece of land by Joe's place that had a water well on it. The well was in bad shape and Pastor was going to have it overhauled. Joe came up and said to him "I think I can fix that for you." And, in a couple of hours, there was water to be had!! Pastor Smith said he never did get a bill from Joe for that job. Guess he was paid the $3.00 after all.

Believe me. There will be story after story told and re-told about the escapades of Joe. I could tell a few myself.

But the service told the story of how he and his family were loved and admired....wall to wall, front to back, and up in the balcony..... PEOPLE! Beautiful flower arrangements and pot plants flanking the lecturn. Beautiful music.

And after two years of pain brandishing across his face, Joe was finally at rest. His countenance was that of "I'm finally free...and, at Home. Come and join me".

"I raise my hands, bow my head

I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red

They tell me that there's more to life than just what i can see

Oh I believe!"

I can't quote the book

The chapter or the verse

You can't tell me it all ends

In a slow ride in a hearse

You know I'm more and more convinced

The longer that I live

Yeah, this can't be

No, this can't be

No, this can't be all there is.

When I raise my hands, bow my head

I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red

They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see

I believe

Oh, I believe

I believe.

Brooks & Dunn, I Believe