Welcome Home -- Pat Patterson

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:10-11


It was powerful!

Bagpipes played as the horse drawn caisson rolled past an army of gray-clad Troopers. Upon its carriage deck lay a flag covered casket that held the body of an old friend of mine. A true warrior. A brother in Christ—Trooper 352: Andrew James Stocks, N.C. Highway Patrol.

We called him A.J.

The Caisson moved quietly to the clicking hooves of six magnificent black creatures, well groomed horses in regal parade dress, one without rider to signify loss. The horses stopped. Six Troopers stepped forward and removed the casket. They marched quietly into the building and set it in a place of prominence in the front of the church. And the service was awe inspiring, a beautiful memorial to the life of a true first responder—A.J.: U.S. Marine-Crash Firefighter, N.C. Paramedic, N.C. Paramedic Instructor, U.S. Army Ordinance Soldier, and lastly, N.C. State Trooper. Yes, A.J. dedicated his entire career to the service of others. He lived so that others might live and, in the end, gave his life selflessly in the line of duty. He was and still is a true hero.

I felt myself jump at the offering of the twenty-one gun salute. Tears filled my eyes as I heard the bagpipes play and the peaceful closing hymns. But I felt my life change at the offering of the radio report that ended the service. A strong male voice came over the air. I felt confused. It surprised me.

“Raleigh, Troop C—”

Silence fell over the room. At first I thought it was a mistake, someone’s radio, a Trooper’s handheld crackling to life. But then it came again, crisp and clear, a strong voice from somewhere overhead.

“Troop C—”

Dead silence this time. It wasn’t a radio; it was a real dispatch going over the air for N.C. Troopers everywhere to hear.

“Troop C…Attention! Trooper 3-5-2 is 10-42.”
10-42…Ending tour of duty.

A.J.’s work on earth was complete, and with that God moved him to his new home in heaven. I know he’s there because we talked about it. I asked him one day, “A.J., how can you know for sure?” And he answered, “Because Jesus Christ died for my sins.”

So now A.J. has a new home, and oh, what a mansion! Can you imagine it? Built by God’s own hands? It must be marvelous. And Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And I will come back and take you to be with me.” He did too. Jesus came and got A.J. that day.

It was his last day on earth, his first day in heaven.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~


I believe A.J. would have been proud of his funeral. I know I was. But you know, something occurred to me as my wife and I walked away from the church. The N.C. Highway Patrol, A.J.’s family, the United States Army, and what, I’m sure, amounted to dozens of unnamed friends and volunteers who worked tirelessly to produce that service, had but three short days to do it. Three days! And look what they accomplished. It was the most touching, the most powerful service I have ever witnessed.

So just think: Our God—the maker of all creation—has had an eternity to create our next home. Eternity! What will it be like? We can only imagine. But guess what, A.J. already knows. So wait for us there, A.J., we’ll be home soon enough. In the meantime, rest in peace, Trooper.

And welcome home!





Pat Patterson is a novelist, a paramedic, and an instructor of Emergency Medical Science. His stores are true, based on real experiences from the streets of Durham, North Carolina where he has served as a paramedic since 1992.

Cranky - ME? Naw.....

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. - 1 Thessalonians 5:6










There's not a person alive who hasn't felt anger and frustration. It comes in many forms, and when it hits us the ultimate result is cranky. The edges of our mouth turn down, we scowl, furrow our brow, snort, sigh and of course, there's the old, slam things around thing. One way or the other we manage to let others know we're in a less than pleasant mood.

I've been sick recently, and though I've tried my best to maintain a decent attitude, the fact is, I've felt horrible. Illness makes even the strongest soul a bit sour. So when my disabled son came bounding in the house from work, slamming the door behind him and knocking over things without a second thought, my first inclination was to snap at him. "Hey - slow down. Take it easy. You act like you have something to hide." Though I said it in a joking manner, deep down inside, I was a bit frustrated.

Up the steps he went saying, "Sorrrrryyyy!" I gave a snort and shook my head as a smile broke through the agitation. He wasn't the least bit sorry, but he made the effort to apologize for rushing through the house like a bull in a China shop. Within minutes he's standing next to me, goofy grin (you know, the one that proves you're the cat that ate the bird), and this is what he says. "Mom, I got something for you."

I was a bit stunned. "I got this for you at work, just because I'm proud of you."

Okay, so now I'm feeling really cruddy for being cranky with him. From behind his back, he brings this beautiful basket full of bath products. Tears filled my eyes as I sat staring at this wonderful act of kindness. From the depths of his heart came this tender, sweet, and thoughtful gift. Outside of the obvious guilt, my heart melted and I was shamed. He sat the gift in my lap, kissed me on the cheek, and trailed off into another room. I had to call him back to thank him. I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed. How fortunate am I? Within minutes, I found myself alone and holding this beautiful gift and feeling oh, so blessed. Suddenly I understood what finding favor with God meant.

So, I leaned back in the recliner and looked toward the couch. "You there, Father?"

"Oh yeah, I'm here. Wouldn't have missed this one for the world."

"That was the sweetest thing."

"Indeed. Acts of kindness are always sweet. They're from the spirit. Inspired on a whim for those who need a boost."

"You're saying this is a bandaid?"

"Kinda. Sometimes we lose control of our perspective and we need to be jolted back on track. Sometimes we draw within ourselves and forget the attitude others see. We become self-absorbed."

"Great! Now you're telling me I'm selfish."

"No. Don't put words in my mouth. I'm telling you, we all get a bit testy at times, but it's our job to be aware - to pay attention. Be alert and self-controlled so that others do not pay the price for our misdirection."

"How lucky am I?" I asked.

The Father pulled the curtain back from the window and replied. "So fortunate. Now what will you do with the fortune you've been given?"

"Share it?"

"That's a start. Others need to be loved as well."

"You're telling me to love the cranky?"

"The Father laughed. "I'm telling you, love the cranky and everyone in between because you are fortunate to have been loved."


Okay, so I look at feeling bad in a whole new light. I am responsible, even when I feel bad, for maintaining the face of Christ. My attitude sets the pace for the family's attitude. The next time I feel cranky, I'll remember this gentle reminder - this gift of kindness, one given for no other reason, than to make me smile.

Spirit

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit – Galatians 5:25

Lisa rested her feet in the starting blocks. She dug her toes deep into the cinders and twisted, getting herself situated for a perfect start. Head down, fingers lightly touching the sharp rocks, she bent her knees and lifted her back. She closed her eyes and tried to block out the cheers of her fellow students. This was the final 100 yard dash – a sprint that would either catapult her into a college scholarship or rate her as just another runner.

The starter lifted his arm and shouted, “Ready!” Lisa snapped into position. “Set!” She sucked in a deep breath. The gun fired and it was as if the scene went into slow motion. Her body slowly extended as the muscles in her legs tightened shoving her off the starting blocks. She used her arms to push and pull, accelerating her forward.

To her left, she could hear the breath of her competitor - short, hard puffs of air escaped her lungs giving Lisa the impression an old steam engine was coming. To her right a clumsy runner, arms flailing and grunting. The three runners hit the halfway mark shoulder to shoulder, the only one leading was the one whose head might jut forward. Lisa tried to keep her eyes fixed on the finish line, looking to the right or left would not only break her concentration but cause her to lose momentum.

An elbow from the flailing runner to her right flew up catching Lisa just below the armpit, sending her careening into the on-coming train in the next lane. Her feet tangled and she went headfirst into the cinder. Her hands had no sooner hit the ground until instinct yanked her back. She dug the toes of her shoes into the ground and shot forward, now eyeing the rear of the pack instead of being in the front. She quickly made headway, fueled by anger and frustration, passing runners hard and fast.

She regained a third-place position, not enough to win, but enough to take a ribbon. Immediately after the race officials escorted her to the third place platform and helped her up. Blood streamed down both her legs, and her palms had embedded pieces of cinder. She was disappointed. When the awards ceremony was over, the winner – the clumsy runner, pulled her ribbon from around her neck and placed it around Lisa’s. “It was an accident. I didn’t mean to elbow you. But never in my life have I seen such spirit. Take this, I don’t deserve it.”

What does it mean to have spirit? It means having the heart of the Holy Spirit – it’s that deep part of us that reaches out as the example to others, the kindness, the hope, the determination to be what is good and right. Having spirit is a genuine quality, an honesty, a willingness to do for others without expectation or reward. Spirit is the heart of Christ. When we push forward with the intention of finishing the plan, move ahead with forgiveness and kindness, even when we’ve been wronged, then finish the task – we have spirit. Think of spirit in these terms. Christ was bound, beaten, and murdered on a cross for us without uttering a single harsh word. He took to paradise a thief who hung by His side, and then three days later, He returned in glory to finish the task. No personal gain, no rewards, only the spirit to save.

Prayer: Lord, may our hearts be filled with Your spirit.

He Sees Us

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. – 1 Peter3:12

Jake Swanson was a good man. He joked about being a fly on the wall at his own funeral, saying he’d like to know what people were saying to his face. His wife, Mildred, constantly scolded him for being snide.

“Oh, I’m just teasing, Mildred.” he would playfully banter. “Fact is, I don’t think I’ll really care.”

Jake was a faithful prayer warrior. Daily he spent time in the quiet of his study talking to God. He’d close the door, take a sheet of paper and begin to list names, events and families that needed prayer. He even prayed for those who had no specific needs. If he would receive a phone call while he was praying, his wife would simply tell the caller he was praying. He became quiet the buzz around town as people began to find out Mildred would not interrupt his prayer time.

The alarm clock chimed at it’s regular 7 a.m. wake-up call. Mildred reached across the table and smacked the switch. “Time to get up, Jake. You have an early doctor’s appointment.”

She rubbed his shoulder gently and slid out of bed.

“Jake, honey, get up.” Mildred poked his foot as she walked around the edge of the bed. Jake did not respond. “Jake. Jake.” Terror rushed through her. “Jake Swanson, stop playing possum.” When there was no response, Mildred rushed to the phone and dialed 9-1-1.

When things came into focus, Jake found himself standing at the rear of the chapel. People were passing by a casket and paying their respects to the widow. One by one, voices became clear and Jake realized the casket held his own remains. He was calm and peaceful as hand touched his shoulder giving him the sense this was a special moment.

“My faithful servant, before we go, I wanted you to hear what people have to say.” Jake’s hearing became very clear as he heard individuals throughout the room talk about the man who prayed them through.” A smile crossed his face as he was lifted gently from the room.

What a wonderful thought. Wouldn’t this be a grand gift for the faithful, if we could actually see the impact we have on others through our Christian example. We do not know the details of an eternal life with Christ, we only know it will be amazing. We know that God has promised us a joyful eternity. Now is the time to ask ourselves, “What kind of an example am I?”

What do others see in me? How am I making a difference?

In a world where people become very self-absorbed, we tend to forget the importance of prayer and the value of a godly life. Make an effort every few months to reassess your life and the example you set for others. Is it pleasing to God? Are you servant He asks you to be? The glory is not ours to have – it belongs to the Father. God hears our prayers, sees our actions, and knows our hearts. What impact have you made?

Prayer: Precious and Loving God, may we strive to be the faithful servant You desire us to be.