Richard Bates ~ Celebrate me home!

This past week we at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church said goodbye to a beloved member of our church family, Richard Bates. One of the things that I loved most about Richard is that firm handshake he would always give. He was happy to see us come toward him, and he would put just that little bit of extra squeeze in his handshake and pull me all over the place! He volunteered to be a usher, even though he was handicapped, and I promise you if you knew him at all, if there was a will, he would find the way to take on a task. This little act of service was so simple yet so much like the person he was, a giving, kind and loving man. He had a faithful trust in the Lord and he served Him with joy. He worried about his children and their walks with God and prayed for them. He prayed for you and me, this was the type of man he was.

When Richard lost his arm years back, I thought surely his world would be over. He wouldn’t be able to function as he always had. He showed us what a true and trustworthy man he was though. He remained the strength Aunt Sandra needed, he continued to repair things at home and found ways to do so independently. He believed God had a purpose for his life, and he set the example for us all to see. He made jokes about his arm to put us all at ease, especially the kids. He knew it was difficult for them to understand and wanted them to see he was still, Daddy, Papaw and Uncle Richard. All of us stepped up to help him, and he stepped faster to help us. If anyone ever had an excuse to sit down and give up Richard had one with the loss of his arm. But he taught us to be strong in the Lord.

I know he is walking the streets of gold, and I celebrate his love of the Lord and that his trip is complete. I thank him for setting an example before us all, and showing even in times of trial, God will see you through.

Our Father who is in heaven is waiting for us at the end of our days to say “Well done good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21)

Those are the words we would indeed love to hear from our God and Father on the day we stand before him after we have lived but a short time this side of heaven and eternity. May your heart find fulfillment in serving him. May God’s grace fall upon you. May you know the joy of the Lord in your life and in all your days. May you bring joy to the Lord with your service and love in the short time you have to do so.