The title is from the chorus of a song by Toby Keith written after his friend Wayman Tisdale passed away. The lyrics hit my heart when I left the hospital after visiting my dear friend Chris Taylor. His time is near and it hurt so much to see his decline.

But it was still a sweet time to tell my friend I love him. Over the years he has made me laugh so many times. We have shared heartaches. Wonderful memories that made me smile. Chris and I were dangerous together. You could count on the sarcasm train coming down the tracks full speed anytime we convened.

But Chris is also an incredibly kind man who served others for many years as a Wylie, Texas Police officer and dedicated follower of Jesus. One of his sayings will stick with me until my time comes. Chris always said this about serving others.

“If I can help someone I don’t need to think or pray about it. I just do it.”

We can use love one another as a slogan too often without feet and hands. But Chris lived that philosophy of being there to help others without fanfare.

One of the lyrics from Toby Keith’s song fits beautifully here.

You showed me how I am supposed to live
Now you showed me how to die

That is one of the most powerful things I have seen over and over in the lives of dedicated followers of Jesus. They pass with confidence and peace in their next destination. Even through the pain and tears those flashes of his wonderful humor were present. The very real hope in that room was this promise from Jesus.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
(John 14, NLT)

Soon my friend Chris will experience that glorious promise. Toby Keith says it perfectly in the chorus of his song “Crying For Me”.

I’m going to miss that smile
I’m going to miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again

My friend looked weak as I leaned over to give him a hug. I did not expect what I received. I got a bear hug that I would not have believed he was capable of giving. I will never forget that moment. When I left I said a very intentional thing that I believe with all of my heart.

“See you later.”

I completely trust that promise of eternity given to us by the finished work of Jesus.

So I will miss my friend but once again I defer to Toby Keith.

I’m not crying’ cause I feel so sorry for you
I am crying’ for me

I am crying for Chris’s beautiful family. For his dear friends and colleagues. For me. But I know on the scale of eternity my time is also very near. I cling to the promise of eternity today and I look forward to that reunion in heaven.