(August 12, 1945 – April 8, 2023)
Years ago, Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a song called The Family of God. The chorus says:
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I’ve been washed in the fountain,
cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
for I’m part of the family,
the family of God.
Along with Sweet, Sweet Spirit, The Bond of Love, and a few others, this was in the regular cycle of songs used during the welcome time of our worship services. It wasn’t until college that I learned the song was more than just a chorus.
Verse 1:
You will notice we say ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ ‘round here.
It’s because we’re a family and these folks are so near.
When one has a heartache we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear
As long as I can recall, my father has served the local church in vocational ministry. His passions have always been disciple-making and ministry with excellence. His heart has always been about loving God, making much of Jesus, and serving people in any way he possibly could. I can’t remember a time when my dad wasn’t called “Brother Troy.” And I realize it’s partly because every week as he would stand up, give a handful of announcements, and then instruct folks to shake the hand of the neighbor next to them… as he looked out upon every gathering, he saw family.
Not just my mom, my brother, and me… but the family of God. Folks Jesus died for. Folks God had called him to live for.
In heartache. In tears. In victory. Brother Troy was there. Today, he’s no longer traveling THIS sod. And while I realize it might be a bit of a stretch, I’d like to imagine that as he
passed from this side of life into the presence of His Lord and Savior, He was greeted with “Well done, Brother Troy, good and faithful servant…”
I love you, D.
jake