We do not sorrow as those who have no hope…

One of the greatest treasures in this life is a good friend. You will have lived a good life for the Lord Jesus if during the course of life you may a few good, deep, lifelong friends. I have such a friend in Ed Litton.

Ed and I met in seminary. He came to preach at the church I struggled to serve as pastor, ignorant as I was. God used him that week.  Although my age, he was and remains far more wise than I could hope to be. He gave me great insight. We have remained great friends all these years. He serves as a trustee here.  I have preached for him many times at the great First Baptist Church of North Mobile.  His associate Scott White has also been a close friend.

I received an email from Southeastern today informing me of the heartwrenching news that Ed’s precious wife Tammy was killed yesterday in an automobile accident.  I called Scott’s phone as not to disturb Ed but to hear how he was doing. As I expected Scott was at Ed’s side.  I wept with my friend, admiring his strength and yet feeling the raw hurt of such a deep loss.

Ed wrote one of the most precious notes you will ever read to his church family. Please take time to read it at  http://www.fbnm.org/.  You will sense the strength, the biblical faith, the greatness of my friend. You will also share his pain.

Would you take time over the days to come to pray for Ed and his three children in this time of unexpected tragedy. Ed, who has always handled things with clarity and conviction,  put it so well: “My bride and our mother is in the place that her God made with His own hands. It was sudden and traumatic but her passing from death unto life is as real in its joy as my grief is in it’s pain.” Pray for the Litton family.  Hurt with those who hurt. Take time to consider the brevity of life. Stop and ponder the length of eternity.  We do not sorrow as those who have no hope.  But we do sorrow.