Inheritance of the Believer

A family sat around the dinner table, now worn and stained, over coffee and heavy conversation. It was the natural place to be after decades of meals, and life-building moments. At the head of the table, instead of the head of the family, sat a lawyer. To his right, Momma, her hands trembling, remained stoic, her five adult children surrounding her. 

Her husband had been a meticulous man, down to the belt and tucked-in shirt. An accountant, every cent had its place, he kept fastidious records. The eventuality of his passing was planned and written out.

But now, in the brittle reality of grief they gathered to hear what this deep man of faith, their father, had left them as an inheritance.

Michael, the eldest, spoke first.

“I can still hear Dad’s voice the last time I asked him about his will. He stopped working on his puzzle and looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Son, I have done my best for you on this side of heaven. But your eternal inheritance is a much weightier concern. Ensure you are secure in it. ’”

“Yes, it was important to him, and he taught you, our children, about being part of God’s family. He didn’t want you to miss out on the rewards of heaven,” said Momma, “here or there.”

“ ‘Eternity’s values in view’ those were his words. Nothing there fades, rusts or gets stolen,” said Justin.

Daniel, sat back, uninvolved as the others consented to this pillar of their father’s existence.

“I remember his joy when you were born, Rachel. We thought our family was complete with the three boys. Seven years later; we had long ago gotten rid of all the baby things. I thought I was at the change of life until the doctor confirmed a pregnancy. We kept it hush-hush until after the ultrasound. I’ll never forget the moment, with cold gel on my exposed belly, we heard your heartbeat. Your dad’s face lit up like the lights at a football stadium! Then, after you were born on that snowy January day, our entire world was ablaze with joy. I can still hear him telling the pastor, ‘This is what it is like in heaven when a new believer is born into the family of God - absolute joy.’”

“And then God gave us Bethany as well. Our ‘quiver,’ as Dad called it, was certainly full.”

A quiet confidence covered them. Their dad was with his beloved Saviour to receive his inheritance. He had loved them well.

Then Momma looked at the man now sitting in Dad’s chair.

“We mustn’t keep you any longer; please proceed.”