It's Time To Come Home

Those of you that live in our community know that it has been a cloudy, gray week. And I'm not just talking about the weather. My nephew, Matt and his wife Megan, lost a son in a drowning accident last Sunday afternoon.

My intentions for our visit this week is to share with you the love my brother Bill and Julie's family as well as our extended family had for little Ryker. How a family could still say God is good after this sudden and terrible loss. And finally how we can see and have experienced God's faithfulness and grace.

I remember back about a year and a half ago going to Marv and Carol's cabin as an extended family to dedicate little Ryker to God and His purposes. My brother Bill, (the Grandpa) held him as Dr. Matt and his wife Kim read scripture and talked about how God loved Ryker and was going to use him for His glory someday.

We then all got in a circle, held hands, and prayed for all our children to be used by God, and to someday be assets in our families, our communities, and God's kingdom. 

Late last Sunday afternoon I had just come in from a Ranger ride on such a beautiful day and was going to check in with my wife Jan who was hemming on a quilt in her sewing room in our basement. We received a text asking us to pray. We immediately sat down, held hands, and asked God to spare Ryker's life. We then called our 6 grown children whose families prayed as well. God chose to take him home. Sunday evening could be described as a shock. Monday would be described as a very tough day.

Little Ryker was 19 months old. His dark hair, dark eyes, and his determination let folks know he was all boy and not wanting to miss out on any opportunities. He loved the outdoors. He loved playing with toy trucks and farm equipment with his older brother Austin.

At visitation last Thursday evening Ryker's great Grandpa Marv and I had kind of a practical conversation as to how this accident could happen. We agreed Ryker never walked to the pond by himself. It was kind of a tough walk uphill for a little guy and he had only been gone for a few minutes. Marv's explanation totally surprised me and after a few seconds of thinking about it I totally agreed with him. Marv said, "Steve, Ryker heard God calling him home". I don't mind if you take that literally or figuratively. What I can tell you with all earnestness is that if God had determined it was Ryker's day to go home to Heaven. No one was going to stop that or change it.

At the funeral as the family was walking in the auditorium during the first song I could feel the congregation's empathy and compassion. I was later told that the congregation could feel the families hurt and loss. The song being sang was How Deep the Father's Love. I believed every word however emotions had taken over my ability to sing.   

Pastor Kevin talked to the family. He talked to the parents, Matt and Megan, right in front of them on his knees. And finally he talked to the children about Heaven.

Mahaska County and Oskaloosa law enforcement were so helpful and so respectful. The funeral procession went from 3rd Church in Pella to the cemetery in University Park. The procession was around two miles long and probably the slowest any of our family has ever driven between Osky and Pella. :)

Ryker was buried in a newly opened portion of the cemetery with trees on two sides and a creek on the third side. The tent over the family was lined with balloons. Many of his first and second cousins stood at or near the front of the grave service, a new and sad experience for most of them. We recited the Apostles Creed. We prayed the Lord's Prayer together.

Shortly after the committal the kids noticed little frogs jumping and started to catch them. They said it was something Ryker would have loved to do.

Mike, the funeral director, mentioned the balloons were for the kids and asked for help to get them off the tent and hand them out. Then together everyone released their balloons and watched them sail up into the sky.

Fellowship and caring always go better with food and this day was no exception. Family and friends went back to 3rd Church to a meal of ham balls, cheesy potatoes, salads, and deserts. The atmosphere at the meal was more upbeat. God's grace was kicking in gear.

There have been some Son-rays breaking through the clouds over the last day or two. It seems like such a cliché to the random listener but it is so true when going through an experience like this, our troubles bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. The goal of life is not to get to Heaven. The goal of life is to bring Heaven to earth while we are still here. 

 Experiences like these remind us about being intentional about a few things. The Bible says our days are numbered. When we will leave this earth has already been determined. Since we're not given that info we need to live as if this home is temporary. Show and tell the folks you love that you care about them. A few days ago during this busy harvest season Jackson said, "Mommy, I'm going to call Daddy and tell him he forgot to give me a hug." Kurt turned around, headed back home, and gave his son a hug.

We don't think about it very often but the Bible also says Christ is coming back soon on the clouds with the sound of a trumpet to take his children home. That doesn't mean we stop all productive activity. It does mean however that we live ready. It means our treasures and stuff here on earth are just on loan to us and have little value at the end of this life. My Dad always told me, "Son, remember, you never see a U-haul trailer behind a hearse".

Finally, don't have doubts about your future after this life. Over the last 6000 years we've only read about one or two fellows that didn't die because God just took them. The rest of us, either sooner or later, are going to leave this earth. Be sure you know Christ loves us, died to cover our wrongs when we ask Him to, and already has the day in place when He invites us, as He did Ryker, to come home and live with Him in glory.