Mr. Sanford Smith 1929-2007
| Posted in God And Family First, Inspiration, Leadership, Missing You | Posted on 29-06-2007
8
God’s angels came today and carried my Uncle Bay home. The chariots came and went as they escorted the mighty man of valor who made such a huge difference in my life into our Father’s house. This soldier’s homecoming was not televised nor widely publicized. Nobody held a press conference when God smiled at him and said,
“Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Nobody from the mainstream media interviewed members of his family to find out what we already knew about Uncle Bay. No paparazzi stalked him day and night. But the greatness of God’s faithfulness did. No flags are flying at half mast. Nevertheless, none of these earthly accolades would be indicative of just how great of a man he was in the eyes of the people who knew him, respected him, and loved him. Only God knows the true measure of this man of few words.
After all these years, my Uncle Bay, his beloved wife, and his only son are back together again and celebrating their long awaited “family reunion.” No longer will his new body have to endure the pain from the cancer that attacked his old body. He can raise his hands and praise our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for giving him the greatest gift of all and for saving his precious soul from a clear and present danger.
No longer will my uncle have to hear the angry voices of the myopic, mean-spirited people who judged him by the colour of his skin instead of by the content of his character. No longer will he have to maneuver his way past all the stinkin’ dung hills of discrimination that polluted the air he breathed and cluttered the paths he chose to walk wisely. He has wings now. He can fly high above all that we are still struggling to overcome.
As your wife would say, “I am blessed and truly grateful” that God chose you to be my friend, my mentor, my uncle, my mother’s brother. God chose your hands to touch me and stir up the gift our Creator placed inside my soul. God used your walk, your work ethic, your high moral standards to show me how to earn an honest living.
As I watched you lead by example, you taught me what it means to be a real man by the life you lived and the love you unselfishly shared with so many people. I’m grieving the loss of your powerful presence but I’m also celebrating because, once again, all is well with your soul. Although my heart is heavy now, the tears I shed today are tears of joy.
Uncle Bay, may your soul rest peacefully in the presence of our most gracious and merciful Father now, always, and forever. Enjoy the celestial place God has prepared for you in our Father’s house. I love you!! As a sign of respect, I salute you soldier!!
Missin’ you much!!
Copyright 2007 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.
