On October 27, 1997 my mother died. She lived to the ripe old age of 79 and I was present at her side when the hour came for her departure. I felt all the emotions that anyone would feel at such a personal loss. But I also felt great strength from my Christian faith which sustained me in my hour of need. Here is what I wrote to be read at the graveside...

If you will look around this morning, you will notice the trees are turning. Leaves are falling. Seeds are dropping to the ground. Autumn is here, and winter is soon to come. But one day not far away, spring is sure to follow. Death will vibrate with life. Seeds will begin to grown. What died and was buried will come alive again.

The Bible says this is all an apt picture for what happens to a Christian when death comes. The body dies and we bury it like a seed in the ground. Through the winter the body will lie there awaiting the coming spring. But when that day comes, this body actually and literally will burst out of the ground just like a seed buried in the fall brings forth life in the spring.

Listen to the world's most ancient book of wisdom from 1 Corinthians 15... "Show me how the resurrection works. Give me a diagram; draw me a picture. What does the resurrection body look like?... We have a parallel experience in gardening. You plant a dead seed. Soon there is flourishing plant... This image... is a mere sketch at best, but perhaps it will help in approaching the mystery of the resurrection body... The body that is planted is no beauty, but when it's raised, it's glorious. Put in the ground weak, it comes up powerful... What a difference from when it goes down in physical mortality to when it is raised up in spiritual immortality!"

For Momma, the fall has come. Today we plant her body like a dead seed in the ground. But hallelujah, the spring is coming! We have wonderful memories, but thanks to God we have more than that! What precious hope is our's for the future! The distinctive Christian hope is for the springtime when the body that was planted will be raised from the dead. This is not wishful thinking. Our hope rests on the solid and credible belief that our Savior Jesus Christ himself was raised from the dead, and one day we will follow him.

Autumn is here. But spring is coming. Momma, we will see you then. Hallelujah and Amen!