This Christmas season began at a funeral in Maysville. Steve Ullery, wonderful man and the father of one of my best friends/coaches, Chris Ullery, had died unexpectedly. As I am writing this, one of my favorite coaches/friends, of all time, Henry Boone, is fighting it out in the aftermath of a severe stroke. Yesterday, Trosper was so sick, that when I went to pick him up in Lexington (unable to drive), it really shook me up. An hour later, found out he had Flu A, Flu B, Covid & Pneumonia. Scary sick. There is so much illness in our family right now, we will not be getting together this week in order to protect our grandchildren who are so young and especially vulnerable. My kids are pretty disappointed right now that they will not be together at Christmas. It gets tougher to pull off each year, and that certainly adds to the disappointment.
It was an honor when Chris asked me to speak at his Dad's funeral. In the days leading up to it, I noticed the family using Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon on their social media in remembering Steve. Ironically, one of the few times I got to spend an extended time w/ Trosper was the afternoon we drove to Pikeville this past May for a QB camp. We spent the drive breaking down that album. I had no idea at the time that God was preparing me for Steve Ullery's funeral.
When I arrived for the funeral at Trinity United Methodist Church, I was surprised to see "The Great Gig in the Sky" would be part of the service. That song does not usually appear on a funeral program held in a Methodist Church.
But, on this day, at this time, in this place, with this group of people, it was absolutely appropriate. On the album, the music expressed a truth that in Trosper's vernacular would come out as , "Man! This aint it!"
Pink Floyd & Trosper agree.... what the world tells us matters the most.... wealth, status, accomplishment, etc. ULTIMATELY don't matter. And, in the END, if we put our hope in what we THINK may be important, it is all DARK. Theologically, Pink Floyd was on target in describing the hopelessness of man's pursuits & wisdom.
So, what DOES matter?
Does it matter that Chris Ullery is facing his first Christmas without his Dad? Yes. Alot.
Does it matter that Henry Boone is fighting the toughest battle of his life right now? Yes. Alot.
Does it matter that my kids will not see each other at Christmas? Yes. But, not nearly as much as what the Ullery & Boone families are facing.
Does it matter that we have to get Trosper well and protect our grandchildren? Yes. And, way more important than missing out on seeing each other.
For ALL of us on Christmas Day, we need to remember what matters the MOST.
God loves us so much, that He sent His only Son as a baby to be born in a manger who would ultimately grow into a man and pay for our sins on the cross. Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He will return to earth, but not as a baby. He will be on a white horse with eyes "like a flame of fire."
You see, the end doesn't have to be DARK. Jesus has paid the price for our sin. He has provided the ONLY way to eternal life. (John 14:6)
When HE returns, ALL that will matter is what He did for us, and do we have a relationship with Him or not.
I enjoy Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Great music that shed's light on the problems of mankind.
Here's some music to CELEBRATE how much God loves us and what HE has done for us.
Merry Christmas!
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