In memoriam

A couple of weeks ago, Michael Jackson died unexpectedly. The grief and media hype have been astounding, to say the least. However...

About a month ago, a man passed away. There was no great outpouring of grief and emotion from strangers. His passing would have gone unnoticed except for the fact that he left a wife of 63 1/2 years, and five strong, healthy sons who each have families with families of their own. He left a neighborhood where he was well known and loved. He left behind a church family who loved and respected him, also.

He was proud of his Belgian heritage. He never had surgery to change his appearence or to hide where he came from.

Like MJ, he had a fine voice, but he sang for the Lord in the church that he loved.

He respected and loved his wife, and never thought of her as someone who could produce children for him to have for his own entertainment. He was never accused of abusing anyone, but he regretted spanking his children when they were small to discipline them. Each of them have grown to be wonderful, loving fathers and husbands. He never took an illegal drug or smoked a cigarette in his life.

He lived simply, and because he was an accomplished horticulturist, raised much of his family's own food in his beautiful garden. He disciplined himself to save his money instead of frivilously spending on material goods which fade away.

During World War II, he served in the US Army and fought in the European theater, and at the age of 30, when the war was over, he left the Army with the rank of Master Sergeant. After the war, he worked for Alcoa Aluminum and retired after 40 years.

He was true to his wife, his family, his community, his country, and to God. He was respected by all who knew him.

Now I have to ask you...which man was more important and should have been valued more?

Remember, man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.