It was just an ordinary weekend almost two weeks ago.
Beginning Saturday, a training session for the serve team volunteers at my church, although most would agree “A Day at the Emmy’s” minus the fanfare.
Awards…
Trophies…
Prizes…
Speeches…
Catered lunch…
Glam table touches of Valentine sparkle and chocolates…
Obviously missed were the couture dresses, swag bags and the paparazzi…
But great appreciation overflowed from leadership hearts towards those diligently committed each week for the sole reason of honoring God by serving his people.
Then Sunday came…
The serve team took their place as they do week after week; not for accolades, not for fame; just a servant’s heart to be found faithful to their post.
Chuck was no different.
He attended the Day at the Emmy’s. 
Facebook photo from Rachael Tucker
He was seen serving the very next day at church.
A true patriot; Chuck was faithful to God, family and flag, who never went AWOL to his post.
Chuck could always be found…
Leading worship in our life-group on Tuesday evenings…
Keeping the church safe through the undercover security team on Sundays…
Fathering and loving his family no matter the day…
Facebook photo from Ken Steorts
If Chuck was needed for any reason at all, look no further than at his post.
Yet, when Tuesday came only two days later, his post was found unattended, unmanned by our patriot, as Chuck had taken a brand new post in heaven.
With no warning to prepare for, God received a committed servant for Himself.
During the home-going service honoring Chuck as a veteran of the faith that he was, I kept remembering a man who showed up week after week, with my final sighting of him standing at the sanctuary’s entrance, praising God while keeping his post.
When our appointed time comes as it did for my friend,
Let it be said of us from those who’ve been watching…
Our heirs…
Our family…
Our co-workers…
Our friends…
Our God…
Those unaware to us…
That we have been found faithful.
(an excerpt from a song echoing the same)
Find Us Faithful
By Steve Green
May all who come behind us find us faithful…
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey…
Yes, our brother in Christ was remembered faithful.
Chuck left behind his footprints for others to believe.
Chuck’s life was a true inspiration for those left behind to continue their journey of faith reflecting the character of God as He is faithful.
Even still, the presence of Chuck is terribly missed though we are comforted in our confidence we’ll see him again.
Life is a vapor; our time is accounted as a mere breath.
…a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14
Our days are already numbered and we know not when the Lord will stop counting.
Singers Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote and said it best in this song regarding the fleeting of time, a handful of moments in our hands.
We Have this Moment
By Bill and Gloria Gaither
We have this moment to hold in our hands
And to touch it as it slips
Through our fingers like sand
Yesterday’s gone
And tomorrow many never come
But we have this moment today…
May the moment we have in front of us become a great memory.
May the fullness of our heart be love, peace and joy with those in our circle of influence.
Because when the unexpected time comes and the Lord is ready to receive us…
May the examination of our life be found not wasted…
But found faithful…
Loving…
Serving…
Running after God…
Apples of Gold Encouragement 