A Quiet Man

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.                                                              Proverbs 21:21 (NLT)

There was a man, with a God-given voice to sing, who lived his life, quietly and with honor. He could have been a famous singer but he chose to be a good man; a good husband; a good father and grandfather.

As I watch my grandchildren grow, I have had time to watch what they consciously and unconsciously choose as priorities in their lives. I watch as they make choices to please themselves or choices that may go unnoticed except to the one who receives their unasked for gift. As a parent I was often to close to see the larger picture, even to see my child’s subliminal choices. I like having this perspective now, a few steps back from a parent.

The man I spoke of in the first paragraph, was called home to heaven this week. His family and friends were shocked to their core to learn of his collapse and immediate death. The psalmist, the one who sang songs to and about the LORD has left this minor stage and is now in God’s Throne Room singing with the Saints.

A quiet man who took pictures of his family but rarely included himself in the frame. A quiet man who just made everyone in the room feel better with his laughter, his bit of a smile and his ability to really listen. A quiet man who left behind an abundance of love and wisdom because he lived his life actively, not passively.

I love this song and the writer and singer, Vince Gill, has a voice similar in character to my friend. Go rest high on God’s Mountain, my friend. Your work is done.

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin’
Love for the Father and Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing.

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin’
Love for the Father and Son