“He who has my commandments and keeps them, is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
My father in-law passed away last Sunday. He was a fine man. All of us had told him privately to let go of his troubles here and go on to Heaven. There he could see his son, Randy, who died just last month, his grandson, Christopher, that he had missed since his death in 1989. He would also see his mother, father, and brothers and sisters who were already there waiting for him.
My dad died when I was 23. There are so many things Everett did for me. When I married Robbie, he told me he would be my father. I didn’t really know him then, but boy what a father he has been to me. First of all, he helped my wife become a Christian, and she led me to the Cross.
In September of 2004, I was fired for all the right reasons. On Monday, September 3, 2004, our African-American Hurman Resources Director returned to work from breast cancer. On her first day back, one of my county commissioners called and told me he wanted me to fire her. “On her first day back from cancer, I asked”? Why?
He told me he didn’t like her and that if I did not fire her, I would be fired that night at their monthly meeting. At the end of the meeting, he made a motion to dismiss me without cause. Two other African-American commissioners joined him in a 3 to 2 vote, and just like that, I was out.
Needless to say, the media descended on Durham and for the next four days. (They gave me until Friday to transition). I handled tons of interviews.
That Friday, when I got home, our next-door neighbors greeted me. After they left, I looked at my wife and asked her to make sure I was left alone. I was exhausted.
Later that night, my father in-law called me. He reminded me that I had done the right thing. “Trust God, Mike. He will take care of you.”
Boy was that ever the truth! Two months later, I was rehired on a 3 to 2 vote. An African-American pastor – who knew he’d done the wrong thing – voted to bringing me back. My father in-law was right! Indeed, God took care of me. God continued to do so until I retired in 2014.
The county commissioner who made the motion to fire me, called me the week I retired and told me I was the finest county manager Durham County ever had. Ain’t God good!
We will bury Everett on Saturday. All day long, I’ve had a song on my mind. It won’t be sung as Everett’s funeral, but it will be sung at mine. It’s actually a Christmas song, but I think the word are perfect. Here are the verses and chorus:
I’m Glad I Know Who Jesus Is
In a little town called Bethlehem so many years ago.
They told him there was no room in the inn.
But they had no way of knowing who they had turned away.
The Lamb of God who could take away their sins.
I’m glad I know who Jesus Is. I’m glad I know who Jesus Is.
He’s more than just a story. He is the King of Glory.
I’m glad I know who Jesus is.
So many people still today don’t know who Jesus is.
They’ve never felt His peace within their soul.
But I want my life to show them how His love can set them free.
He’s the only one who can cleanse and make men whole.
He’s the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
He’s the Counselor and Deliverer to me.
He’s the Everlasting Father, He is the King of Glory.
I’m glad I know who Jesus is.
My 6-year old grandson asked if he could be a ‘Ball Bearer” at his great grandfather’s service. All Everett’s grandchildren and great grandchildren will be pallbearers. But Easton wants to put his hand on the casket and help get it to the hearse. ‘You bet,” I told him. “I’ll come get you and we’ll both help him out of the church.”
Thank you, Everett. We’ll see you soon!
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