Just over ten years ago my fishing buddy went to be with Jesus. I met Jim shortly after my father died, and he was around the same age my father had been. He and his wife moved to the area and joined our congregation. And he loved to fish. He fished more days than he did not fish. And he took me with him more times than I could count. He was the reason our church had a fish fry every year. He was a kind man, always concerned about others, he loved to laugh, and was a good friend.

What follows is a portion of the message I delivered at Jim’s funeral service.

One month ago today I woke up early, which is not that unusual. It was about 4:30 in the morning and I was reading from Proverbs for my devotion time. Outside, the thunder and lightning put on quite a show. I put on my headphones and hit the play button to see what music would come on. As I listened to the mandolin introduction, I knew it was no coincidence that this particular song popped up: “Lord, I Hope this Day is Good” by Don Williams. Very appropriate. For those who don’t know the song, it begins:

Lord, I hope this day is good.
I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood.
I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should,
But Lord, I hope this day is good.

I smiled as I thought of all God’s goodness in my life. I try to thank Him every day for all that goodness. And I prayed along with Don as the song continued:

I don’t need fortune and I don’t need fame
Send down the thunder, Lord, send down the rain
But when you’re plannin’ just how it will be
Plan a good day for me.

 I know that in my life, I have had more good days than bad. That is a tremendous gift from God. And I remembered that the day before I had visited with Jim at home. He was still very clear-headed at that time, and we shared some laughs and some great memories. We knew it was nearing the end of the time he would spend with us here on earth and his entry into the presence of Jesus. During my visit with him, I thanked him for being my friend. I prayed with him. I reminded him of God’s promises, all of which have been fulfilled and kept by what Jesus did for us. As I was preparing to leave, my friend said to me his signature phrase, what he said to everyone and to me hundreds of times in person or on the phone: “Have a good one, now.” It was a good day.

And as hard as it is for us to think in these terms, June 22 was a good day, too. A good day for Jim. He has received what Jesus earned for him, the reward of his faith, the promised rescue and life that comes through faith in Christ. He is in that place where there is no more pain or sorrow or suffering. Thanks be to God!

As I said, Jim had the attitude that his life was in the good Lord’s hands. He told me that over and over again. And as I prayed with him, on more than one occasion I reminded him of these words:

Romans 14:8  If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

 That was his faith and confidence. Jim is with his Lord. As I think of where he now is, I say this of Jim not as a wish but as a statement of confidence: “Have a good one, now.”