YOUR TURN It was a beautiful morning. It started out with much needed rain and later the sun came out. The morning was like any other Tuesday morning, really. I slowly woke up at 6:15, made lunches, helped get the kids get off to school, and went back to bed for a while. Shortly thereafter I got up and went to work. Work was also typical at the start of the day. I arrived a few minutes before staff prayer time and staff meeting. I got my things together for the meeting and headed to the Pastor’s office. Although most people know that staff meeting is at 9 o’clock and that I cannot take calls during that time, my phone started ringing at ten minutes past nine. The thought crossed my mind, “Do I take the call or do I let it go to voicemail?” I glanced over at my phone and saw that it was my wife. It was at that moment that I had multiple scenarios shoot through my mind. Was somebody hurt? Who was sick now? Was the house burning down? What was broken now? With all that going through my mind, I decided to answer the phone. I answered and very quietly reminded my wife that I was in staff meeting and that I had only a moment to talk. She told me about someone in the hospital that was not doing well and near death. I learned that Dr. Michael Anderson’s dad was in Kennestone Hospital after having a massive stroke and was not expected to survive through the day. From that moment my day was far from routine. I left immediately to go and serve the Andersons. When I arrived at the hospital I found Dr. Anderson’s father, Bill Knox, in the ICU. I was greeted by Stephanie Anderson and informed that Mr. Knox did not have much time left and the rest of the family was on their way. Dr. Michael and the girls arrived about 30 minutes later. What a privilege I had to be a part of that very intimate time in their lives. At one point, Dr. Michael turned to me and asked if I would sing something. Asking me to sing something is like asking a Rottweiler to attack. I obviously said yes and sang the incredible song that everyone loves, Amazing Grace. I felt a peace in the room and I knew the Spirit of God had filled that place. A little later Dr. Michael asked me to sing another song. By this time it was just the family and me in the room. I asked God to give me the perfect song and He did. I began to sing It Is Well with My Soul. When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul". It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. As soon as I cut off the last note of the song, Bill Knox immediately went to be with the Lord. It was his turn to leave this world and be called into the very throne room of Christ. What an incredible moment for the family and for me! Later that day, I got to thinking about what happened. God knew from the beginning of time that at 12:45 pm on Tuesday, August 14th, He would call Bill Knox home. From the beginning of time He has known when He will call Aaron Hodges home. Bill didn’t know exactly when he would die and neither do I. But I do know that even though I cannot stop that from happening, I have an assurance that nothing can destroy. I know that because I have Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, I can rest because my eternity is settled. When will it be your turn? Your turn is coming! Are you ready? Aaron Hodges