Marcus Redding Drives to Arlington

“Two funerals in a month. Are there cultures that only celebrate births and weddings and have no rituals for death? I want to move there.” Lauren was ready on cue, “You know what Ecclesiastes says Marcus, ‘It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.’” “I know,” he replied, “but two funerals in a month is hard.” First Grandpa Sam, now his friend Ron’s mother had died. Lauren was sympathetic, “Yeah, it is hard. But I’ll be with you. And you know Ron will appreciate it. And this could help open a door for the gospel.” Marcus was resigned, “I know. But it’s still hard.”

Ten days ago Marcus drove Ron to Arlington so that Ron could reconcile with his dying mother. She was awake and alert when they got to Hospice Arlington. But a brain tumor affected her speech. She couldn’t talk. But her facial expressions showed that she recognized people and she was listening and understanding what they said. When Ron walked into his mom’s room he went straight to her bed. He held her hand. He told her he was sorry and all the reasons why. She just cried and smiled and squeezed his hand. They had reconciled. His mom passed away early the next morning.

Now Marcus and Lauren were making the Saturday drive from Tyler to Arlington for the 11:00 services. Marcus was behind the wheel. Lauren was looking out the window. “Have you ever been to that place, ‘World of Christmas Lights?’” “Yeah, I went there one time…in high school.” Marcus sounded ashamed. Lauren guessed why, “How old were you?” “I was 17. Let’s just say we caused malicious mischief and got in trouble.” Lauren chuckled and shook her head.

They pulled off in Terrell so Marcus could get some coffee. Marcus stayed in the truck while Lauren ran into Starbucks. Since Lauren quoted Ecclesiastes, he reached behind his seat and pulled out his Bible. When Lauren got back in the truck she put two hot paper cups in the beverage holder. As they pulled back on to I-20 Marcus said, “Will you read Ecclesiastes while we drive?” “Sure,” she said, “Why Ecclesiastes?” Marcus sipped coffee and said, “Seems like the right book to read on the way to a funeral.” Lauren set the Bible on her lap, “Okay, but I’ll have to take breaks so I don’t get carsick.”

She started reading, “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.” She read a few minutes then looked up to avoid carsickness and they would talk about what they read. This went on until they crested that big hill on I-20. Lauren read the last verses, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

It was quiet as they descended the big hill, traffic all around, bright cold winter day. After a few minutes Marcus broke the silence, “That’s what I like about the Bible. It’s real.”

It was quiet again. They passed a truck stop. They passed Mexican restaurants and green Wal-Marts. They passed gleaming mega-churches and Valero gas stations. They passed tall cranes and new construction. They turned onto 360 North and passed Whataburger and Six Flags and Cowboys Stadium. All these things came into view and passed away in the distance.

But the Bible sitting on the dashboard stayed the same.

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.