"The Memory of the Just is Blessed"

"The memory of the just is blessed ..." Proverbs 10:7a

Jack Hedgecock was 80 years old. Pastor Barkman read from 1 Corinthians 4, versus 1 and 2: “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

The entire message was on the faithfulness of this man and yet the faithfulness of Christ and the grace of God working in this man and through this man throughout his life; and he spoke of different areas in which he was faithful—and one thing that really touched my heart was when he turned to Jack’s wife and said, “He loved you”.

He spoke of having found a note in the back pew where they sit (that had been left there) where Jack had written a note to his wife talking about how much he had enjoyed a particular outing that they had shared and Pastor Barkman spoke of how Jack had continued to romance her throughout his life.

One statement that he made was that Jack was a warrior for the Lord Jesus Christ and then there was a letter to be read that one of Jack’s daughters wrote:

For my Dad
(The precious words of his Daughter, Bonnie Price),

“The only thing we know for certain; is that life is uncertain and death is inevitable. It is said that we preach our funerals with the lives we live—my father’s life can be summed up in one word “faithful”.

He was Faithful to his God; his wife; his family; and, his friends. To know Jack Hedgecock was to respect him. He was small in stature; but, he was a great man. He wasn’t always right; he wasn’t perfect; but, he was genuine; he was modest; he had no pretense and he made an impact on all who met him.

My father’s life verse was 2 Timothy 2:15 and anyone who ever received a card, letter, or any form of correspondence; always saw this reference. It reads: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

To my knowledge, unless he was too sick to do so, there was not a day that went by that my father was not reading and studying the Bible. He was a prayer warrior. I cannot count the times that I saw him kneeling to pray.

Daddy did not let opportunities to witness pass him by. While in the hospital, he could hardly breathe with an oxygen mask on his face, he motioned for his doctor to come closer—with ragged breath he asked, “Are you my doctor?” The doctor replied, “Yes”, and Daddy asked, “Are you a Christian?” His doctor answered, “No, I am not.” Daddy smiled at him and said, “Well, you should be—it’s the greatest thing on earth.”

My Daddy’s gone from this earth; but, not from our hearts. His testimony will live on forever in those whose lives he touched. He was my cheerleader; my encourager; my mentor; helper and friend. He was my Daddy; and, I love him with all my heart.

Daddy would not want us to stand by his grave and weep. He is not there. He knew that the secret to death is found in the heart of life—the life of Christ. For the Christian there is no end in death. Death is but a gateway to eternity before which we stand with trembling apprehension of leaving our loved ones and anticipation of meeting our Savior; our God. Like a river that flows to the sea and empties into something more powerful, more vast and wonderful than itself; so is death for the Christian. We cease to breath here; but, come into the presence of God unencumbered with the toils, struggles and trials of this flesh. A soul has gone to Heaven. Is Heaven sad? Shout the good news, “He has gone home!” Wave the banners and the checkered flag, “Jack Hedgecock has run his course. He has finished the race—Well Done Dad!”

Jack Hedgecock went to be with the LORD May 8, 2009; but, to this day, you can call the house in which he lived and hear his voice saying, "Isn't Christ a Wonderful Saviour." He being dead yet speaketh.

Building Up by Breaking Down

“He delivereth the poor in his affliction , and openeth their ears in oppression” Job 36:15

How oft we seek to glory in
The things that we would do,
When God, in mercy, doth afflict
To give a heart that's true

In moments when we fail to see
In things He sends our way
The face of Him Who lovingly sends
Fire to save the day.

CHORUS
He buildeth up by breaking down,
Both pride and sin within.
Our faith refined to make Him known,
It's Christ we are to win.
And worship Him in holiness;
Give glory to His Name--
His voice will speak majestically,
In Christ we are to win .
(Ps. 29:1,2,4)

Sore troubled minds, Oh look to Him
Whose faithfulness is sure
And glory in the cross you bare,
His gift to make you pure.

Rejoice with Him Oh, righteous one,
Declared before the throne,
By blood and Spirit come to Him,
Who took you for His own.

(Chorus)

In grateful praise and thankfulness
Exalt His Name on high,
Restore to Him His rightful place,
In humbleness draw nigh.

Within, without, His chastening hand
Doth bring us to our knees,
And give to us the grace we need,
That pleasing we shall be.

(Chorus)

How beautiful His precious smile,
To us He doth bestow;
To fix our hope in Him alone,
As homeward we will go

That we may apprehend from Him,
Who apprehended us;
The Prize of Jesus Christ Himself,
All else we count but dust.

Conform us to Thy image,
For Thy own Name sake alone;
That all may come to know
That you are God, and God alone.

He buildeth up by breaking down,
Both pride and sin within.
Our faith refined to make Him known,
It's Christ we are to win.
And worship Him in holiness;
Give glory to His Name--
His voice will speak majestically,
In Christ we are to win .

(1st Pet. 1:3-9; Phil. 3:7-14)

Michael E. Wood
(6-10-09 8:43a.m.)