The Home Funeral
\nby Kenneth Chafin<\/p>\n
Dr. Kenneth Chafin is alive and well having recently moved to Houston. Before retirement he had taught evangelism and preaching at Southwestern and then at Southern Baptist seminaries. He has been pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Houston and of Walnut Street Baptist Church in Louisville.<\/p>\n
\nA single note signaled the beginning.
\nA mixed quartet sang softly, slowly.
\nTempted and tried we`re ofi made to wonder
\nWhy it should be thus all the day long.<\/p>\n
A tiny hand-made casket rested
\nbetween kitchen chairs on the porch.
\nFruit jars of flowers scented the air.
\nWhile there are others living about us
\nnever molested though in the wrong.<\/p>\n
The family sat behind the small casket,
\nothers stood in the yard, ignoring the rain,
\ntrying to make sense of a child slain by
\na stray bullet while jumping rope in her yard.
\nFarther along, we`ll know all about it.
\nFarther along, we`ll understand why<\/p>\n
The preacher read a New Testament text
\nfilled with comfort and the hope of heaven.
\nThen delivered an Old Testament message
\nin a holy whine, "This is God`s good will."
\nCheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine
\nWe`ll understand it all by and by<\/p>\n
The people shook their heads and
\nthe mother sobbed softly at the thought
\nof leaving her child in the cold damp earth.
\nThe father sat stone faced and hated God.
\nFarther along, we`ll know all about it, Farther along, we`ll understand why.<\/p>\n
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