A week before Christmas, I spent a couple of hours with my parents after speaking at a school in their community.

We had a good visit — one I am immensely grateful for because five hours afterward, my mom called to tell me Dad had suffered a heart attack and was in critical condition. Two hours later, while I was on the road back to where they lived, she called again. My dad was dead.

That’s still hard for me to write. It seems unreal. I’ve always had my dad… until now.

On the day of his funeral, I stood in front of the crowd and shared from the book of Ecclesiastes; reminding everyone that the day of our death, like my dad’s, should be one that leaves no question as to whether or not we will one day enjoy God’s promise of heaven and all its glory.

I know that on the day the dead in Christ are raised to be joined with God the Father and Jesus the Son, my dad will be among them.

I am confident that I will be, as well.

What about you? Be ready for that day by giving yourself completely to Jesus today and every day.