Big Little Man

Ecclesiastes 3:11b “He has put eternity in their hearts.”       

Brother and Sister James Owens were fixtures on the South Carolina Church of God Campground for years. Though short in statue, Brother Owens always made a big impression on you when you talked with him. He and Sister Owens ran the kitchen for SCCOG Youth Camps for many years and were great neighbors and friends for our family. He had a little fish pond in his yard and I would always take my two oldest granddaughters to see the fish when they were little. They were just two wonderful people to love and know.

When we were getting out of the car last Wednesday night after church Becky said, "I sure do miss seeing Brother and Sister Owens on the camp ground." I remarked that I did too and looked at the house and yard they had for 28 years. But then Becky added, "But they're shouting on the hills of glory and have made it to their permanent home."

During the last few years, before their home-going, you could see the toil that sickness and age had on them. It was a sad time to see them leave their home here and move in with their son and family. Not seeing Sister Owens working on the flowers in her yard or Brother Owens on his golf cart took some getting used to. No matter when you visited with them they had one thought on their minds and an in their hearts-eternity. God was very gracious and took them home very close together. I'm positive they are shouting on the hills of glory.

Like all of us, they were on a journey.  Earth is not our final destination; we are just passing through. We will never feel totally at home here, because heaven is our eternal home. The house the Owens lived in is still there, so is the little fish pond, and some of the flowers she planted. A new family has brought life back to the household, but Brother and Sister Owens have made their journey to their final destination-heaven.

How about you? Are you sure you will go to heaven when you die? You can be if you know Jesus. He already has many mansions prepared and there's one waiting for you if your name is in the Book of Life.